The effect of being told you cannot do something varies from individual to individual. Some people adopt that mindset, believe that they cannot do it and never attempt it again. Other people take that negative energy and turn it into fuel to push them to accomplish those unreachable goals.
After his accident at Century Downs in May, Daryl Thiessen was told by his medical practioners that he’d be sidelined for quite some time. He had suffered a shattered collarbone, dislocated hip, broken femur, and a substantial blow to the head. Not only did he defy the odds to come back earlier than expected, but he also made it to the winner’s circle on his first day back. Thiessen took the negative prognosis and turned it into the fuel to get him back in the driver’s seat four months before initially indicated by his doctors.
The first thing Thiessen asked after his first surgery was when he could drive again, but the medical staff had more pressing concerns. “I got mad at [my surgeon], and we had an argument about it. He was just trying to be real with me and wasn’t trying to be rude. He just didn’t understand how much driving horses means to me. Whether or not I can walk again, I’ll drive horses again.” Although it was tough for Thiessen to swallow, he knew it would take some time to get back in the sulky.
Ultimately, Thiessen’s return to the track was up to him and his ability to endure the pain. “I have a rod from my hip to my knee and they said the rod can withstand any weight you can put on it. So, what I took from that is it’s just the pain tolerance and what I can handle.”
Thiessen just needed a chance to prove he was able to perform. That opportunity presented itself with the help of an old friend: trainer Trevor Williams. “No one else was going to let me drive their horses. Nobody thought I was going to be able to do it. I begged [Trevor] to please give me the opportunity.”
The two agreed that if Thiessen could jog and train earlier in the week without pain or issues, he would be able to drive in the first leg of the Golden Boy Stakes at Miami Fair on July 10. The training session went perfectly and solidified Thiessen’s place on the Saturday’s race card.
“I got back to the barn, and it was emotional. You go from laying in the hospital not knowing if it is ever going to happen again but then it ends up happening so fast. It was a lot to take in.”
The race itself could not have played out any better for the returning reinsman. Thiessen picked up the drive on the Williams-trained Dawns Night Owl and the duo delivered, with Thiessen guiding the gelding to victory in a lifetime best 2:01.1.
The race had its share of suspense as the post-time favourite, Cereal Killer made an untimely break for driver Don Howlett at the top of the stretch after cutting the mile. That miscue opened the door for Thiessen and Dawns Night Owl to sprint home and pick off Promisemeawin in the final strides.
The race also had some dramatics as Thiessen had two driver objections filed against him for “slowing the pace and causing a bunch up” around the quarter mark. This caused a delay in making the race official as the judges had to review the complaints. Ultimately the objections were disallowed as the entire race was set to a fast pace and the three-year-olds — most of which had one or two lifetime starts heading into the Golden Boy — had some of the fastest times of their short racing careers.
Thiessen was quick to credit fellow drivers for supporting him during his recovery.
“James MacDonald, Doug McNair, Johnathan Drury, Bob McClure, Yannick Gingras and all those guys really helped keep the fire lit under me. They knew how bad I was hurt but they knew how bad I love to drive.”
Thiessen also wanted to thank those individuals that helped start his career. “Don Howlett and Trevor (Williams) sent me with a stable of horses to Edmonton. They believed in me enough to do that and Don’s one of my biggest heroes in harness racing. He was one of the first to congratulate me after the win and that’s why I love Donny.” The recognition from Thiessen did not stop there and he continued by saying, “I really want to thank my mom and dad and my girlfriend, Alayna. They have been just unbelievable.”
The road to full recovery is not over yet, and for the short-term Thiessen plans on staying in Manitoba at Miami Fair.
“Manitoba is a good stepping stone and it’s great to be here with old friends. It’s an important piece to the puzzle to get back to Ontario.” It is not clear how much driving Thiessen will be doing over the next few weeks, but he knows he will get more opportunities. Two of those opportunities will take place this Saturday (July 17) at Miami.
To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing at Miami Fair, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Miami.
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Trey Colbeck)