Tom Riley of Roseneath, ON has been named the winner for the I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club’s August Zoom Photography Challenge.
The theme for August was ‘Faces of Racing’. Fans were asked to go behind the scenes and capture photos of grooms, owners, trainers and drivers.
Tom’s photo is of his four-year-old son Lane Riley poulticing pacing mare Solid Queen.
“I took the photo at our farm in Roseneath a couple weeks ago when Lane was helping me. Lane loves to help with the horses and it was cute how he was being so careful putting the poultice on”.
The mare in the picture is Solid Queen, a six-year-old daughter of Riverboat King who is owned by Dwayne Soulliere of Belle River, Ont. Dwayne had bought the mare stateside a couple of months ago and has since been trained at Riley Racing Stable.
“We trained her back from injury and she just started back racing last week,” Tom explained.
Tom and his wife Amanda run Riley Racing Stable full time in Roseneath, Ont. with their two sons Lane and Blake. The couple is a third generation family in racing which would make their two boys the fourth generation.
“Both my family and my wife's family are very involved in the business. Family gatherings are usually all horse business and talk!"
Lane Riley (left) and Blake Riley (right) with their miniature horse Runner.
We would also like to thank our three other finalists:
► Photo #1: Fran Caron of Wasaga Beach, Ont. for her shot of Trainer Terri Stoke from T.S. Racing with Justashady Fantasy.
► Photo #2: Wayne Hubbard of Saint John, N.B, for his shot of caretaker Austin Tufts, giving his horse Milliondollarjewel a bubble bath after a morning workout at Exhibition Park Raceway.
► Photo #4: Tammy Webb of Fredericton, N.B, for her shot of Katie MacNeil and her horse Magical Alex getting ready on race day at Exhibition Park Raceway.
Tom will receive a $50 prize package from the Fan Club for his winning photo!
September will be the Fan Club’s last month for the Zoom Photography Challenge, so make sure to check the web for details coming soon!