The Greatest Horses ever developed at Fredericton Raceway - 2023 edition

 

 

* Bill Sharen photo courtesy Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

 

For the record, let me state that Bill Sharen may be the greatest horse ever developed at Fredericton Raceway.

 

The chestnut stallion was foaled at Samuel J. Boyle’s Fredericton farm, over one hundred years ago 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.

 

During the course of his record-setting five-year-old season in 1920, Bill Sharen had attracted the attention of Murphy after winning the Free-For-All at Fredericton.

 

The sale was announced by telegram and published in the New York Times on November 16, 1920. It was said “the horse is a rich chestnut in color, stands fifteen hands high and has weighed 1,500 pounds” and “...the holder of records on nearly every track on which he raced” in the Maritimes and Maine.

 

On August 17, 1922 at Belmont Driving Park in Philadelphia, Bill Sharen became the first Canadian-bred horse to trot better than 2:05 when he won consecutive heats in the $2,500 Bulls Head Stake 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 and had earnings of $7,647.75.

 

As his 1922 season progressed, he became known for his ability to win triple heats, a feat he accomplished three times during the last two weeks of August.

 

Bill Sharen 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 Sharen was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2000.

 

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, broke 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 Atlantic Canada and throughout North America.

Since there is no one source to comprise this very specific criteria of horses developed in Fredericton, I relied mostly 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
1:50.3f   Flying Cowboy   Trainer:  Charlie Miles 

1:51.2m   Jaguar Knight   Trainer:  Sheldon Watts

1:51.2s   Amble Over Hanover   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

1:51.2s   McPat   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

1:52.1s   Spudland Sierra (Mare)   Trainer:  Brent Briggs

1:52.1m   Woodmere Topcat   Trainer:  Lloyd Denton

1:52.3h   KCs Starlite (Mare)   Trainer:  Charlie Miles

1:52.4s   Sealcrest Dragon   Trainer:  Mike Downey

1:52.4s   Fern Hill Bella (Mare)   Trainer:  Roy Dickinson

1:53s   Manrayson Jo   Trainer:  Brian Embleton & Garnet Taylor

1:53.1f   Northern Raucous   Trainer:  Mike Downey

1:53.1f   Terra Cotta Lad   Trainer:  Charlie Miles

1:53.1m   Money Maven (Trotter)   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

1:53.4f   Little Manny   Trainer:  Charlie Miles & Stephen Trites    

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

1:54.3f   Cajun Fiddle (Mare)   Trainer:  Mike Campbell
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

 

Bubbling under:  Ryan Flyin 1:55.4f; Vic's Sample 1:55.4f; Woodmere Sandman 1:56h; Rose Valley 1:56h; House Edge Hanover 1:56.1h; Pipe Major 1:56.1f; Daytona Fearn 1:56.1f; Jags Desperado 1:56.1s; 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 at Woodbine in 1:52.1 for Chris Christoforou 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 10 Fredericton horses by winning times on a half-mile track

1:52.3   KCs Starlite (Mare)

1:53.1   All Star Dragon

1:54      Igoddago

1:54      Saulsbrook Light
1:54.1   Money Maven (Trotter)

1:54.3   McPat

1:54.3   Woodmere Topcat

1:54.3   Northern Raucous

1:54.3   Little Manny
1:54.4   Tornado Tim (Trotter)

1:54.4   Terra Cotta Lad

 

KCs Starlite win at Northfield Park in 1:52.3 gave her the distinction of being the fastest New Brunswick-bred mare over a half-mile track. 

 

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.

The fastest trotter on a half-mile track is Money Maven (1:54.1).

 

Top 6 Fredericton horses by individual WINNING times in 1:53 or better

12   Flying Cowboy
8   Amble Over Hanover
6   Jaguar Knight

3   Spudland Sierra (Mare)

3   All Star Dragon

3   McPat

Flying Cowboy had a winning time better than 1:51 on four occasions in his career.  He has won in 1:50.3 and 1:50.4 two times each.

Top 6 Fredericton horses by individual race times in 1:53 or better REGARDLESS OF FINISH

50   Amble Over Hanover
41   Flying Cowboy

35   All Star Dragon

31   McPat
23   Woodmere Topcat

17   Spudland Sierra (Mare)

Fredericton horses with $100,000+ lifetime earnings

$833,227   Money Maven (Trotter)   Trainer:  Everette Hanson
$384,010   Tornado Tim (Trotter)   Trainer:  Everette Hanson 
$324,965   Northern Raucous   Trainer:  Mike Downey
$253,852   All Star Dragon   Trainer:  Stacy Gay

$226,605   Fern Hill Bella (Mare)   Trainer:  Roy Dickinson
$220,538   Amble Over Hanover   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

$212,298   Igoddago   Trainer:  Mike Campbell
$202,201   Flying Cowboy   Trainer:  Charlie Miles
$199,530   Milliondollardad   Trainer:  Phil Reid 

$189,388   Oscar Dielahoya   Trainer:  Sandra Foley

$188,716   Ryan Flyin   Trainer:  Ned Lindon

$173,473   Princetown Cody (Trotter)   Trainer:  Kelly Watts

$168,319   Terra Cotta Lad   Trainer:  Charlie Miles

$153,719   Woodmere Topcat   Trainer:  Lloyd Denton

$142,196   McPat   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

$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

$117,744   Little Manny   Trainer:  Charlie Miles & Stephen Trites
$110,264   Tidy Point   Trainer:  Mike Campbell

$110,225   Knightime Roger   Trainer:  Mike Campbell

$108,328   Baron’s Boy   Trainer:  Paul Jennings

Northern Raucous 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.   

 

Top 10 Fredericton horses by money earnings in an individual season

$170,810   Money Maven   2017

$156,630   Money Maven   2016
$114,853   Northern Raucous   2004

$110,330   Money Maven   2019
$107,785   Tornado Tim   2016
$94,292   Flying Cowboy   2014

$78,810   All Star Dragon   2012

$77,330   Jaguar Knight   1994

$68,680   Spudland Sierra   2004

 

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

Fern Hill Bella (Mare)
Flying Cowboy

Igoddago

Jaguar Knight

Little Manny

McPat
Milliondollardad

Money Maven (Trotter)

Northern Raucous

Oscar Dielahoya

Princetown Cody (Trotter)

Spudland Sierra (Mare)

Terra Cotta Lad

Tornado Tim (Trotter)

Woodmere Topcat

 

Top 20 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 ($62,810-1:59.3h)   Trainer:  Mike Campbell

47 Prancer Pete ($30,565-2:05.3h)   Trainer:  Charles Rammage

47 Money Maven ($833,227-1:53.1m)   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

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

43 Mabou River Lady (Mare) ($21,329-2:04)  Trainer:  Sheldon Watts

43 Tornado Tim ($384,010-1:54.1f)   Trainer:  Everette Hanson

41 Starson ($20,297-2:04.1h)   Trainer:  Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell dominates with 7 places on this list - including three of the top five positions- for a total of 368 wins.  All but Vulga Wil raced until they were at least 10-years-old. 

 

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:  Stefan 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. 

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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)

ALL STAR DRAGON

ALL STAR DRAGON (Dragon Again-West Star Lady)

p.6,1:50.3f-1:53.1h ($253,852)

Lifetime record:  173-29-28-22

$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

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

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

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

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

 

MONEY MAVEN

  

MONEY MAVEN (Revenue S-The Raven)

p.7,1:54.1h-10,1:53.1m ($833,227)

Lifetime record:  290-47-48-28

$2,200 weanling purchase at 2010 New Jersey Classic

Owner:  Everette Hanson

Trainer:  Everette Hanson

Career Highlights

Numerous wins in the Preferred and Invitational trot classes in Ontario and New York
Richest horse (regardless of gait) ever developed in Fredericton

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

Last raced November 2011

PRINCETOWN CODY

PRINCETOWN CODY (Trotter) (Bannister-Gold Pendant)

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.9,1:54.1f ($384,010)

Lifetime Record:  256-43-32-35

$7,000 yearling purchase at Harrisburg

Owner:  Everette Hanson

Trainer:  Everette Hanson

Career Highlights

Numerous wins in the Preferred trot classes in Ontario and New York
First trotter in history to surpass $250,000 in lifetime earnings.

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

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I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Patrick Eastwood to this blog.

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