Portions of this blog were published on January 5, 2013.
This blog is an updated version of that original.
* * * * *
For the record, let me
state that Bill Sharon may be the greatest horse ever developed at Fredericton
Raceway.
The chestnut stallion
was foaled at Samuel J. Boyle’s Fredericton farm on September 1, 1915. He was undefeated in Fredericton as a four
and five-year-old and then sold to Tommy Murphy of Poughkeepsie, NY for
$25,000, a record price for a Canadian standardbred horse.
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| Bill Sharon photo courtesy Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame |
On August 17, 1922 he became the first Canadian-bred horse to trot better than 2:05 at Narberth, Pennsylvania when he won consecutive heats in 2:05 ¼ -2:04 ¼ - 2:06 ¼ against world class trotters. He also became the first Maritime-bred to trot or pace a mile better than 2:05 on any North American track.
Bill Sharon raced for
seven seasons and established two Canadian records and more than a dozen track
records. His legendary career ended back
in the Maritimes and when he returned to Fredericton in September 1928 it was written that he was “in the midst of
the greatest comebacks the Down East has ever known.”
But his career ended
suddenly at Island Park in Woodstock later that year when he dropped dead after
the second heat of his final start. He
was buried in the centerfield of the track which is now underwater after being
flooded by the construction of the Mactaquac dam in 1967.
Bill Sharon was
inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2000.
No other horse
developed in Fredericton has those credentials but does that make him the best
of all time?
When I first came up
with the concept of writing a blog about the most successful horses Fredericton
Raceway ever produced, I wondered if I would be able to determine who the
greatest Fredericton horse of all time was.
I soon realized that this would be an impossible task. Can you really compare horses from one era to
another?
I decided that I would focus
on the modern era and I categorized horses based on lifetime records, race
times, money earnings and career wins to see if it made the task of determining
the best any less difficult.
It is important to note
that all of the horses were stabled and trained at Fredericton Raceway at the beginning of their careers. Some were bred in the Fredericton area and
others were purchased at yearling sales in the Maritimes and throughout North
America.
Since there is no one
source to comprise this very specific criteria of horses developed in
Fredericton, I mostly relied on my own recollections and the great memories of
horse people in Fredericton.
The following is a
tribute to the talent of the trainers in Fredericton so here is a look at some
of the best of the modern era.
Top 25 Fredericton horses, mares and geldings by lifetime records
1:50.3f All Star Dragon Trainer:
Stacy Gay
1:51.2m Jaguar Knight Trainer:
Sheldon Watts
1:51.2s Amble Over Hanover Trainer:
Everette Hanson
1:52.1s Spudland Sierra (Mare) Trainer:
Brent Briggs
1:52.1m Woodmere Topcat Trainer:
Lloyd Denton
1:52.4s Sealcrest Dragon Trainer:
Mike Downey
1:53s Manrayson Jo Trainer: Brian Embleton & Garnet Taylor
1:53.1f Northern Raucous Trainer:
Mike Downey
1:54h Igoddago Trainer:
Mike Campbell
1:54h Saulsbrook Light Trainer:
Sheldon Watts
1:54.1f Oscar Dielahoya Trainer:
Sandra Foley
1:54.1f Tornado Tim (Trotter) Trainer:
Everette Hanson
1:54.2f Youbetiwould Trainer:
Phil Sowers
1:54.2f Milliondollardad Trainer: Philip Reid
1:54.3s Bonavista Bay Trainer:
Sandra Foley
1:55h Bear Island Tyler Trainer:
Mike Downey
1:55.2f Summer Radiance (Mare) Trainer:
Doug McCarty
1:55.3s Armbro Supernova Trainer:
Sandra Foley
1:55.3s Money Maven (Trotter) Trainer:
Everette Hanson
1:55.4f Vic’s Sample Trainer:
Stephen Trites
1:55.4f Ryan Flyin Trainer:
Ned Lindon
1:56h Woodmere Sandman Trainer:
Stephen Trites
1:56 Rose Valley (Mare) Trainer:
Mike Campbell
1:56.1f Pipe Major Trainer:
Mike Campbell
1:56.1f Daytona Fearn Trainer:
David Silliphant
1:56.1s Jags Desperado Trainer:
Ricky Beattie
Bubbling under: Slick and Easy 1:56.2f; Princetown Cody (T)
1:56.2m; Mr. Rude 1:56.3h; Rookies Raisin 1:56.3h; Bayside Traveler 1:56.3f;
Barons Boy 1:56.4q; Big Bucks Bomber 1:56.4f
It should be noted that
Jaguar Knight and Spudland Sierra established new standards when they took
their lifetime records. Jaguar Knight
paced the Meadowlands in 1:51.2 for Mike Stevenson in May 1994 and became the
fastest Maritime-bred horse of all time and the second fastest Canadian-bred. He held the Maritime-bred distinction for
almost eight years until February 2002 when Dakota Express paced the
Meadowlands in 1:51.1. Spudland Sierra’s
win in 1:52.1 for Jody Jamieson in July 2004 was the fastest ever by a New
Brunswick-bred mare and second only to Dexter’s Wine (1:52) by a Maritime-bred
mare at the time.
Top 5 Fredericton horses by winning times on a half-mile track
1:53.1 All Star Dragon
1:54 Igoddago
1:54 Saulsbrook Light
1:54.3 Woodmere Topcat
1:54.3 Northern Raucous
All Star Dragon is not
only the fastest horse ever developed in Fredericton but also the fastest ever
over a half-mile track. If I had
included individual races by each horse, All Star Dragon would have been on each
list nine more times. He has won in 1:53.1 (twice), 1:54.1, 1:54.2,
1:54.3 and 1:55 two times each, all at Yonkers or Freehold. Igoddago would have been on this list three
more times. He has won in 1:54, 1:54.2,
1:54.4 and 1:55, all in the Maritimes.
He has also won in 1:55.2, 1:55.3, 1:55.4 and 1:56 in the
Maritimes. He won one race at Flamboro
in 1:55.4. Saulsbrook Light has won in
1:54 and 1:54.1.
Top 5 Fredericton horses by individual race times in 1:53 or better
regardless of finish
35 All Star Dragon
30 Amble Over Hanover
23 Woodmere Topcat
17 Spudland Sierra (Mare)
15 Jaguar Knight
To break it down by
wins, Jaguar Knight won six races better than 1:53 – four better than 1:52. All Star Dragon has won three races better
than 1:52. Spudland Sierra and Amble
Over Hanover with three each and Woodmere Topcat with two are the only other horses
to have multiple wins in 1:53 or better.
Fredericton horses with $100,000+ money earnings
$324,965 Northern Raucous Trainer:
Mike Downey
$212,298 Igoddago Trainer:
Mike Campbell
$193,692 All Star Dragon Trainer:
Stacy Gay
$189,388 Oscar Dielahoya Trainer:
Sandra Foley
$188,716 Ryan Flyin Trainer:
Ned Lindon
$173,473 Princetown Cody (Trotter) Trainer:
Kelly Watts
$165,105 Tornado Tim (Trotter) Trainer:
Everette Hanson
$153,719 Woodmere Topcat Trainer:
Lloyd Denton
$129,727 Big Bucks Bomber Trainer:
Sandra Foley
$128,457 Jaguar Knight Trainer:
Sheldon Watts
$124,877 Spudland Sierra (Mare) Trainer:
Brent Briggs
$123,106 Pipe Major Trainer:
Mike Campbell
$112,760 Money Maven (Trotter) Trainer:
Everette Hanson
$110,264 Tidy Point Trainer:
Mike Campbell
$110,225 Knightime Roger Trainer:
Mike Campbell
$108,328 Baron’s Boy Trainer:
Paul Jennings
$105,118 Amble Over Hanover Trainer:
Everette Hanson
Northern Raucous also has
the distinction of winning the richest race when he captured the $100,000
Ontario Sires Stakes final in 1:53.2 at Georgian in October 2004. Princetown Cody is the richest trotter on this
list but seven-year-old Tornado Tim is still racing and is a consistent money
earner on the Ontario circuit.
Top 5 Fredericton horses by money earnings in an individual season
$114,853 Northern Raucous 2004
$78,810 All Star Dragon 2012
$77,330 Jaguar Knight 1994
$68,680 Spudland Sierra 2004
$64,465 Princetown Cody 2001
Fredericton horses with lifetime earnings greater than $100,000
and lifetime records better than 1:55 for pacers and 1:57 for trotters (alphabetically)
All Star Dragon
Amble Over Hanover
Bear Island Tyler
Igoddago
Jaguar Knight
Money Maven (Trotter)
Northern Raucous
Oscar Dielahoya
Princetown Cody (Trotter)
Spudland Sierra (Mare)
Tornado Tim (Trotter)
Woodmere Topcat
Top 15 Fredericton horses by lifetime wins in the modern era
73 Tidy Point ($110,264-1:58.3f)
Trainer: Mike Campbell
70 Elixir Grade ($48,357-1:59.1f)
Trainer: Paul Jennings
62 Igoddago ($212,298-1:54h) Trainer: Mike Campbell
55 Mormac Coral (Mare)
($20,995-2:03.3f) Trainer: Stephen Trites
53 Pipe Major ($123,106-1:56.1f)
Trainer: Mike Campbell
53 Beth Seelster (Mare) ($70,604-1:59f)
Trainer: Mike Downey
53 Angels Class ($33,511-1:59f) Trainer:
Steve Trites
53 Jon Fifer
($31,429-2:03.1h) Trainer: John McMulkin
50 Daily Special ($93,129-2:00.4f)
Trainer: Mike Downey
48 Knightime Roger ($110,225-1:58.2f)
Trainer: Mike Campbell
47 North Wind Mac
($62,810-1:59.3) Trainer: Mike Campbell
47 Prancer Pete
($30,565-2:05.3h) Trainer: Charles Rammage
46 Night Hunter
($81,520-1:59.2f) Trainer: Mike Downey
46 Birdton Bert
($44,635-1:59.1h) Trainer: Tom Belmore
45 Vulga Wil (Mare) ($52,775-1:59.4f)
Trainer: Mike Campbell
45 Paris Motion
($30,961-1:59.3h) Trainer: John Stewart
43 Special Reward ($56,107-2:02.2h)
Trainer: Mike Downey
43 Lively Gold (Mare)
($19,810-2:04.3h) Trainer: John Stewart
Mike Campbell dominates
with six places on this list - including three of the top five positions- for a
total of 327 wins. All but Vulga Wil
raced until they were at least 10-years-old.
If we had gone to Top 16, Campbell would also have Starson (41) next on
the list.
Honorable Mentions – outstanding horses who didn’t make any of the
above lists (alphabetically)
All Finesse – 2:01.2f -
30 wins - $42,816 Trainer: Mike Downey
Balmaghie Breeze – 1:57.4f
- 28 wins - $55,349 Trainer: Sheldon Watts
Casis Salute – 1:58.4f
- 26 wins - $44,777 Trainer: Phil Sowers
Knightly Glib – 1:59h –
27 wins - $46,404 Trainer: Robert Stevenson
Misty Hill Mary –
1:59.4h - 39 wins - $94,736 Trainer: Mike Campbell
Rulesnregulations –
1:58.2h – 39 wins - $51,902 Trainer: Stephan Decourcey
A World Record holder who didn’t make any of the above lists
Classic Gene was a son
of Southampton V-Adele Daeres who was purchased by Carol Thornton and Joan
Sowers for $5,200 in 1979 at a yearling sale in Ontario. The horse was broke and trained by Joan’s
husband Philip Sowers and began his racing career as a two-year-old in
Fredericton. He won two races in Saint
John early in his sophomore year, January 1981, and was then sold to U.S.
interests.
Later that year he
established a world record for one and one-quarter miles on a five-eighths mile
track at Liberty Bell Park in Philadelphia when he paced in 2:31.2, lowering
Belle Action’s old record of 2:32, established in 1958. Sowers was quoted as saying, “I knew he could
really go a distance but it’s really something to set a world record.”
The world record is
currently held by Boulder Creek – 2:19.4.
Classic Gene raced
until the age of eleven and ended his career with 19 wins, $80,256 in earnings
and a lifetime record of 1:58.2m.
* * * * *
Below I have
alphabetically assembled 12 horses that are arguably the best of the modern era. I have included relevant statistics relating
to lifetime records, summaries, money earnings, longevity and career highlights
for your consideration.
The greatest Fredericton horses of the
modern era (alphabetically)
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| ALL STAR DRAGON |
ALL STAR DRAGON (Dragon Again-West Star Lady)
p.6,1:50.3f-1:53.1h ($193,692)
Lifetime record: 118-26-18-15
$4,500 yearling purchase at 2006 New Jersey Classic
Owner: Stacy Gay
Trainer: Stacy Gay
Career Highlights
At 3, won five of seven starts
At 4, winner Walter Dale Memorial (1:57) in Fredericton; HRNB
invitational (1:57.2) at Saint John; third in Robert McCain Memorial at
Woodstock; awarded Most Improved horse at Fredericton Raceway
At 5, claimed for $15,000 and has earned over $160,000 since then
At 6, won in 1:50.3f and 1:50.4f, the fastest winning miles ever by a
Fredericton trained horse
Last raced August 2012
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| BIG BUCKS BOMBER |
BIG BUCKS BOMBER (Ralph
Hanover-Lurene Lobell)
p.5,1:56.4f-1:57h ($129,727)
Lifetime record: 135-31-33-19
$4,200 purchase at 1988 Toronto Fall Mixed Sale as an untrained
two-year-old
Owner: Sandra Foley, Fredericton
Trainer: Sandra Foley
Career Highlights
At 3, placed in early closing races at Montreal
At 4, winner Walter Dale Memorial (1:59) at Fredericton; first
Fredericton-owned horse to win
At 5, raced Invitational circuit placing second in Gold Cup and Saucer
at Charlottetown
At 6, winner Provincial Cup trial (1:57) at Saint John equaling track record;
winner Provincial Cup final (1:58.3)
At 9, winner Earle Avery Memorial at Woodstock and early closer final
at Fredericton
Retired September 1995
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2010
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| DAILY SPECIAL |
DAILY SPECIAL (Dominion Byrd – Wendy Chief)
p.3,2:02.3f;6,2:00.4f ($93,129)
Lifetime record: 203-50-35-33
$2,700 yearling purchase at 1976 Fredericton Horse Sale
Owner: David Kileel, Fredericton
Trainer: Mike Downey
Career Highlights
At 2, Atlantic Sires Stakes champion; 12-8-4-0-$6,682-2:10.4h; won a
qualifier in 2:25.4 on June 25, 1977-first charted mile
At 3, earned over $13,000 on the Atlantic Sires Stakes circuit
At 4, established new track record at Fredericton breaking Walter
Dale’s 42-year record; second to Scotch Gauman in Walter Dale; awarded Horse
of-the-Year at Fredericton Raceway
Retired to stud in 1987 and sired four winners, 3 in 2:10
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2004
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| IGODDAGO |
IGODDAGO (Drop Off-Sakra Posey)
p.3,1:56.2h;7,1:54h ($212,298)
Lifetime record: 236-62-56-38
Homebred
Owner: Michael Campbell, Brian
Lean, Ronald Roy
Trainer: Michael Campbell
Career Highlights
At 2, awarded top two-year-old colt at Fredericton Raceway
At 3, winner $25,850 early closer at Montreal (1:56.4); Duck Acorn at
Charlottetown (1:56.2); awarded top three-year-old colt at Fredericton Raceway
At 4, awarded top four-year-old at Fredericton Raceway
At 5, winner Johnny Conroy at Truro (1:55); awarded Horse of-the-Year
at Fredericton Raceway
At 6, winner Governor’s Plate at Summerside (1:55.3); ABC final at
Charlottetown (1:56)
At 7, winner at Charlottetown (1:54) – Maritime record; awarded Horse
of-the-Year at Fredericton Raceway
At 8, winner at Charlottetown (1:54.4)
At 9, awarded Horse of-the-Year at Fredericton Raceway
At 11, awarded Horse of-the-Year at Fredericton Raceway
Won 4 races in 1:55 or better, 9 races in 1:56 or better – second best Maritime-bred
of all time
Retired August 2010
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2009
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| JAGUAR KNIGHT |
JAGUAR KNIGHT (Knightly Blue Chip-Dana Hanover)
p.3,1:58h;4,1:51.2m ($128,457)
Lifetime record: 64-20-6-7
$24,000 yearling purchase at 1991 Atlantic Classic
Owner: Wayne Hill
Trainer: Sheldon Watts
Career Highlights
At 2, winner ASS at Summerside, Saint John, Charlottetown and Truro
(1:59.2)
At 3, winner PEI Colt and Duck Acorn (1:58) at Charlottetown;
Barrieau-McIsaac at Saint John
At 4, won four consecutive and seven of nine races at the Meadowlands;
1:51.2 record was fastest ever by any Maritime-bred at the time (1994), a mark
that stood for almost eight year; four wins better than 1:52
Retired November 1994
At 9, returned to races and won at Charlottetown (2:00.4)
Retired to stud in 1999 and sired eight winners, 3 in 2:00
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2004
NORTHERN RAUCOUS (Northern Luck-Armbro Raucous)
 |
| NORTHERN RAUCOUS |
NORTHERN RAUCOUS (Northern Luck-Armbro Raucous)
p.3,1:53.2f;7,1:53.1f ($324,965)
Lifetime record: 268-39-35-33
$11,000 yearling purchase at 2002 Canadian Classic
Owner: Albert Goodine &
Andrea Dolan
Trainer: Mike Downey
Career Highlights
At 2, won first four lifetime starts; winner OSS grassroots at Clinton;
second OSS grassroots at Sudbury & Dresden
At 3, winner $100,000 OSS grassroots final at Georgian (1:53.2); winner
OSS grassroots at Sudbury & Georgian
Richest horse ever developed in Fredericton
Last raced November 2011
 |
| OSCAR DIELAHOYA |
OSCAR DIELAHOYA (Die Laughing-Enterprising)
p.7,1:54.1f-1:55.3h ($189,388)
Lifetime record: 194-34-24-14
$4,200 weanling purchase at 1996 Meadowlands sale under the name of
Celebrity Profile
Owner: Sandra Foley
Trainer: Sandra Foley
Career Highlights
At 3, winner at Woodbine (1:56.4)
Last raced June 2006
PRINCETOWN CODY (Trotter) (Bannister-Gold Pendant)
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| PRINCETOWN CODY |
t.8,1:56.2m-2:00.1h ($173,473)
Lifetime record: 226-21-40-39
Owner: Kelly Watts & Keith
Ford
Trainer: Kelly Watts
Career Highlights
At 2, winner ASS trot at Saint John
At 3, second ASS at Saint John, Truro, Charlottetown; third ASS at
Fredericton and Dairy Queen elimination at Saint John
Last raced August 2003
 |
| SPUDLAND SIERRA |
SPUDLAND SIERRA (Mare) (Knightly Blue Chip-First To Fly)
p.6,1:52.1s ($124,877)
Lifetime record: 78-18-15-10
Homebred
Owner: Brent & Weldon Briggs
Trainer: Brent Briggs
Career Highlights
At 3, won first three lifetime starts at Flamboro
At 4 & 5, awarded Mare of-the-Year at Fredericton Raceway
At 6, won three consecutive races at Woodbine; 1:52.1 record was
fastest ever by a New Brunswick bred mare and second fastest by any
Maritime-bred mare at the time (2004); three wins better than 1:53
Retired June 2005
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2007
 |
| TIDY POINT |
TIDY POINT (Set Point-Tidy Lobell)
p.4,1:58.3f ($110,264)
Lifetime record: 352-73-77-55
$3,000 yearling purchase at Octoberfest Yearling Sale in New Jersey
Owner: Roy Goodine
Trainer: Mike Campbell
Career Highlights
At 3, won 13 of 26 races
At 4, winner Robie Kaizer Memorial at Truro; winner Abbeland-Pepsi
early closer at Moncton; second in Gold Cup & Saucer consolation at
Charlottetown; third in Walter Dale Memorial at Fredericton;
At 5, second in Governor’s Plate at Summerside
At 6, winner Pepsi Invitational at Sydney (1:59.1) new track record;
winner Dieppe Classic at Moncton
At 7, winner leg of Alpine Autumn Gold Series at Saint John; second in
Gold Cup & Saucer consolation at Charlottetown; second in Alexander
Memorial at Saint John; second in Ferguson Memorial at Sydney
At 8, Aged Pacing Horse of the Year at Saint John
Winningest horse ever developed in Fredericton
Last raced February 1995
 |
| TORNADO TIM |
TORNADO TIM (Trotter) (Revenue S – Cyclone Annie)
t.6,1:54.1s ($165,105)
Lifetime Record: 106-18-16-6
$7,000 yearling purchase at Harrisburg
Owner: Everette Hanson
Trainer: Everette Hanson
Career Highlights
At 4, 5 and 6, numerous wins in the Preferred trot classes in Ontario
 |
| WOODMERE TOPCAT |
WOODMERE TOPCAT (Drop Off-Fern Seelster)
p.4,1:54.3h;6,1:52.1m ($153,719)
Lifetime record: 142-29-14-23
Owner: Lloyd and Amy Denton
Trainer: Lloyd Denton
Career highlights
At 2, winner ASS & PEI Colt at Charlottetown; second in Dairy Queen
final to Chatham Hoochee
At 3, winner ASS at Summerside & Truro; Bill Quigg at Fredericton
(1:58.1)
At 4, winner Walter Dale at Fredericton; set track records at Saint
John (1:54.3) and Summerside (1:55.3); won four races in five starts at
Meadowlands; awarded Atlantic Canada Horse-of-the-Year
At 8, winner ABC Invitational at Charlottetown
Raced entire career free-legged
Last raced June 2004
Fredericton Raceway Hall of Fame 2008
* * * * *
I would like to acknowledge the
contributions of Patrick Eastwood to this blog.
* * * *
*
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