horse racing
#NEWMUSIC: WALK OFF THE EARTH FT. TYLER SHAW – “BET ON ME”
WALK OFF THE EARTH are back with new Single “BET ON ME” featuring Tyler Shaw! This is a catchy Summer Bop and I don’t even know how this escaped our radar where Lead Vocalist Sarah Blackwood is telling her love interest to “bet on her” like “Apple in the ’90s”. Hilar.
We love Horse Racing and the cover of the Single made us chuckle, and there’s even a few references to pedigree and stallions which is amaze. They need to film this Video at Woodbine Racetrack. I can’t see it being filmed anywhere else!
On the Single Cover, that’s a betting terminal, the type you see are racetracks and betting parlours. Fully-committed. YES!
The Track is produced by Gianni Luminati, Tokyo Speirs and The Futuristics.
This Indie Pop Outfit from Burlington knows how to have fun and we love that they’re still going strong! So awesome getting to chat quickly at the JUNOs last month!
(Photo/video credit: Golden Carrot Records)
#HORSERACING: “MIGHTY HEART” NAMED HORSE OF THE YEAR AT 2021 SOVEREIGN AWARDS
For a second consecutive year, MIGHTY HEART takes top honours at the Sovereign Awards, honouring the best in Canadian Horse Racing. For the first time ever, the event was held at Universal Eventspace in Vaughan. The one-eyed horse owned and bred by Larry Cordes, in 2020 went-on to beat the odds and win the Queen’s Plate. His success didn’t stop there and he also had a successful 2021 campaign which saw him notch two graded stake wins, the Autumn and Dominion Day Stakes, plus some big runs in the U.S. against open company including a win in the Blame Stakes.
Also honoured this evening with an E.P. Taylor Award was Owner/Breeder Ivan Dalos. Throughout his career, Dalos under his Tall Oaks Farm, has bred and raced some greats including the likes of Victorious Ami, Galloping Ami, Ami’s Flatter, Amis Gizmo, Ami’s Holiday, Johnny Bear, Gamble’s Ghost, Ami’s Mesa and multi-millionaire Channel Maker.
Other winners tonight included:
Mrs. Barbara – Champion 2-year-old fillyGod of Love – Champion 2-year-old male
Munnyfor Ro – Champion 3-year-old filly
Frosted Over – Champion 3-year-old male
Amalfi Coast – Champion female sprinter
Pink Lloyd – Champion male sprinter
Jolie Olimpica – Champion turf female
Town Cruise – Champion turf male
Avie’s Empire – Outstanding broodmare
Sam-Son Farm – Outstanding breeder
Mark Casse – Outstanding trainer
Live Oak Plantation – Outstanding owner
Kazushi Kimura – Outstanding jockey
Denzil Fonseca – Outstanding groom
Woodbine Entertainment Group – The 2021 Queen’s Plate – Outstanding audio/visual broadcast
Hayley Morrison – Outstanding writing
Will Wong – Outstanding photograph
We are thrilled again to have won Outstanding Photograph and can’t believe this is real! So honoured to be among these legends and gamechangers. Cannot wait for the Woodbine ’22 season to begin at last this Saturday, April 16, 2022!
You can steam the entire Awards Ceremony here:
Some Snaps from the night:
(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group/Mr. Will Wong)
#HORSERACING: BRITISH ROYALTY REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BREEDERS’ STAKES
The 130th running of the BREEDERS’ STAKES took place over a yielding turf course yesterday at Woodbine Racetrack. The third and final jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Horse Racing was won by BRITISH ROYALTY, capping-off a huge weekend for Owner Bruce Lunsford. The notable Politician, Lawyer and Businessman based out of Kentucky, also won the Grade I Woodward at Belmont with Art Collector Saturday.
The son of English Channel (who also sired top turf horse CHANNEL MAKER who win the race in 2017), shook clear of the field to win by four lengths under Patrick Husbands. Final time was 2:34 for the 1 1/2 mile race. He is trained by Barbara Minshall, who temporarily lost the gelding when he was placed in a claiming race for $40k to build-up his confidence back on July 11, 2021 at Woodbine. Claimed right back in his next race by Minshall and Lunsford, the investment proved well worth it and he also rewarded his backers with $51.20 on a $2 bet, boosting his own bankroll to $250k.
Finishing second was Queen’s Plate runner-up RIPTIDE ROCK for Stronach Stables and third was COLLECTIVE FORCE for Chiefswood Stables.
Some Snaps of the BRITISH ROYALTY:
The supporting stakes feature on Sunday’s card was the Grade III $150k Ontario Fashion Stakes, won by that hard-trying homebred mare AMALFI COAST for Terra Racing and Team Kevin Attard, under jockey Justin Stein.
Attard combined with Stein this weekend also to take Saturday’s feature, the final jewel in Canada’s Triple Tiara, the $250k Wonder Where Stakes, with three-year-old filly division leader MUNNYFOR RO, who also took the Woodbine Oaks.
Toronto Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse even came out for a day of racing at Woodbine Club. See his chat here!
.@Raptors Head Coach Nick Nurse is obviously an @NBA Champion but did you know his horse racing connections?
— Woodbine Racetrack (@WoodbineTB) October 3, 2021
Also, safe to say he’s fired up to have fans back to @ScotiabankArena pic.twitter.com/GbdZI7S1fe
The E.P. Taylor (Grade I) and Nearctic Stakes (Grade II), the season’s final marquee stakes, will be contested October 17, 2021.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#INTERVIEW: EURICO DA SILVA ON “RIDING FOR FREEDOM”
Seven-time champion jockey Eurico da Silva arrived in Canada in the early 2000s after travelling the world riding among the best in Brazil, Singapore, Macau and more. Known for his larger than life personality and positive spirit, nobody would ever have known he was battling same dark demons that stemmed from his childhood, threatening to destroy everything he had built.
da Silva‘s Memoir RIDING FOR FREEDOM released late 2020, already is nominated for a Sovereign Award, winning raves on the internet. Not only is it shocking and disturbing, it also is inspirational and uplifting in chronicling his will to survive. The Book is available now on Amazon here.
We had the pleasure of chatting with da Silva about the book and our own troubled relationships with our fathers. This and more, below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
GREATEST HORSE MOVIES THAT EVERY HORSE ENTHUSIAST SHOULD WATCH
If you love horses in general, then you’ll love movies that bring us nearer to those majestic animals and provide us stories of their caretakers. Horses are very smart animals that offer us lessons and most of the time even horse trainers can learn from them.
We gathered a collection of horse movies that you should definitely watch. Included are a few non-conventional horse racing movies to add some diversity. In today’s article, we will make a list of movies that are made from both real-life stories and fictional tales, but all of them are perfect for anyone who loves horse racing.
THE BLACK STALLION
A tragic shipwreck off the coast of Africa brings the lone survivors, a young boy, and a wild, black stallion collectively before being rescued. The boy built such an emotional connection between him and the horse that they are inseparable, and after a while, they are returning to America together.
Although the boy knows little or nothing about horses or riding, he begins coaching alongside a neighborhood horse coach and goes on to be very successful and well-known in their area just because of their uniqueness.
The movie is emotionally harrowing, although ultimately uplifting, and you have to watch it with a field of tissues at hand. Films about horses are such emotional films that horse lovers would definitely understand.
THE MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS
The miracle of the White Stallions is a 1963 Disney film that recounts the true story of how American common Patton helped to avoid wasting Vienna’s well-known Lipizzaner stallions from the Nazis.
The movie is based on the guide by Alois Podhajsky, who was the director of Vienna’s Spanish Riding School during World War II.
This is yet another true story film that includes a champion racehorse, while Ruffian tells the tale of the filly who took the horse-racing world by storm back in the early 1970s. The star of the movie is Sam Shepard as Ruffian’s devoted coach and you should definitely watch it.
SEABISCUIT
Author Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling e-book, Seabiscuit, was made into a 2003 Oscar-nominated film. The film stars Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Elizabeth Banks. It tells the true story of the Depression-period racehorse whose unlikely victories raised the spirits of a nation.
As a horse-obsessed little girl, I watched many of these films over and over. As a horse lover, watching this movie will take you back to those days when you were around horses.
Like canine and even cats, horses have been with a man for much of our history. It’s no coincidence then that stories about horses and horse racing have been appreciated for ages.
BLACK BEAUTY
Told from the angle of the stallion we observe the evolution of the circle of his life. Even though I actually have seen this movie on countless occasions, Beauty’s idyllic youth with Merrylegs and Ginger still makes me smile, and his mistreatment within the years after makes me so angry. He strikes up an unlikely friendship with a washed-up and alcoholic steeplechase jockey who helps him by pointing him in the right direction which is understanding his potential.
Anna Sewell wrote the book to raise awareness about animal welfare and it was an immediate bestseller. The 1994 film model stars Sean Bean and David Thewliss, with Alan Cumming because of the voice of Black Beauty.
FINAL WORDS
These are some of the most exciting and must-watch horse movies in history. All of them share the same idea about the emotional bond between horses and humans, which is sometimes forgotten by many people.
These movies show how beneficial are horses to our living, and how much they’ve helped humans in our history. Most of the movies are really deep, so make sure you grab few tissues before watching them. If you love horses then you’d definitely appreciate all of the movies mentioned above.
And if you love horses and horse racing, don’t forget to bet in the most important races on TwinSpires.
#HORSERACING: THANK YOU, SAM-SON FARM
Few have made a bigger impact in Canadian Horse Racing than Sam-Son Farm. The thoroughbred racing outfit originated in the ’60s under Ernie Samuel‘s vision and has carried-on to this day, with operations based in both Milton, Ontario and Ocala, Florida. Through and through, they truly are the embodiment of a Canadian success story.
Much of my childhood was spent admiring their greats, who conquered the world on the international racing stage dominating both north and south of the border. Champions Dance Smartly, Wilderness Song, Sky Classic, Ruling Angel, Regal Classic and more were my idols. And their legacies live on in their offspring today and some have stakes races named after them, paying tribute to their historic achievements and contributions.
With news surfacing last fall of their plans to begin a phased exit from the industry, I have struggled a bit processing this. One of the reasons I love Horse Racing so much, no longer will be. Surely I can’t be alone in this feeling.
Seeing 21 of their mares sell for a total $6.7 million at last week’s January Horses of All Ages sale at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky marks the start of the end of an era. And this makes it all seem real. I’m thankful that a few of these mares were purchased by Canadian connections and am hopeful some of those bloodlines will remain within our country. Sam-Son Farm‘s bloodlines have given Canadian racing prestige and honour.
We can still expect to see their beautifully-bred horses whom either are in-training or just beginning training, at the races at least for the next bit ahead. This still gives us something to look forward to. However, the reality that we might not see those famous red and gold silks ever again at the races in a couple years, is bittersweet.
Sending our support and appreciation to all those connected with Sam-Son Farm, along with the Balaz and Samuel families in their next ventures. We are thankful for all the memories as these will live with us forever.
We present a compilation of Sam-Son Farm moments from the past decade. We even had a snap from our 110 film camera as a kid back in 1991 when Dance Smartly won the Triple Crown in Canada, and wish we had a digital camera with us in the many glory years that followed!
Thank you Sally & Malcolm Pierce, the Motion family, Janeen Lalsingh, Linda Davis, Gail Cox, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Eurico Rosa Da Silva whom are attached closely to the Sam-Son legacy, for sharing their memories with us.
There will never be another like them. Thank you, Sam-Son Farm.
Red and gold forever.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#HORSERACING: MR WILL x MR WILL LIVE WITH “AMERICA’S BEST RACING”
As many of you are aware, I am a huge fan of Horse Racing and in having been a huge advocate for the sport the past 10 years, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have two horses named after me. A PIC BY MRWILL gave us such a thrill, taking us into the Winner’s Circle in her final race back in 2017 and now MR WILL embarks on his career with his debut tonight at Woodbine Racetrack.
MR WILL‘s journey to the races has been met with challenges but he’s shown Owner/Trainer Michelle Love that he’s got potential and talent. These past few weeks she’s ensured he is ready to race, with focus on breaking from the starting gate, which was his nemesis. He’s handling it like a pro now and we’re thrilled! She’s done an amazing job!
He is listed at 10-1 odds by Woodbine‘s oddsmakers, so that’s plenty of value for your $2 bet. But we have a feeling he’ll be going-off at lower odds than that. Best of all, everyone across Canada subscribed to TSN can watch the race tonight as part of their RACING NIGHT LIVE program! Race 8 at Woodbine tonight goes off at 7:15 PM ET and you can tune-in on TSN 3 and TSN 5. Their broadcast begins at 6:00 PM ET. MR WILL is lucky #7!
Even if you don’t have TSN, you can watch on America’s Best Racing Live Stream of RACING NIGHT LIVE here at 6:00 PM ET.
Our friends at AMERICA’S BEST RACING have invited us to chat and watch the race with them as we cheer on MR WILL. I’ll be appearing on their live stream around 7:00 PM ET. Bookmark the link and watch us here.
You can throw in a bet for as little as $1 on HPI or DARK HORSE.
We aren’t expecting perfection from MR WILL. In reality, most horses need a few tries before they win. we wish him, Michelle and rider David Moran all the best of luck tonight.
Shout out also to Team John Ross who have entered DOUBLE THE HEART into the race as well. You might recall, they were the connections of A PIC BY MRWILL!
We’re so excited. Thanks for your support!
Accounts to follow:
Mr Will on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse
Mr Will on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse
Michelle Love on Twitter: @misses_love666
America’s Best Racing on Twitter: @ABRLive
Ashley Mailloux on Twitter: @ashley_mailloux
Dan Tordjman on Twitter: @DanonymousMan
Emily Gullikson on Twitter: @EmilyOptixEQ
(Photo credit: America’s Best Racing/Mr. Will Wong)
#COOKING: CHOCOLATE CHIP SCONES RECIPE
Chocolate Chip Scones. The Royal Ascot meet runs Tuesday, June 16 – Saturday, June 20, 2020 and the finest around the world congregate at Ascot Racecourse for an abbreviated, action-packed meet. Queen Elizabeth II already has scored at the meet, her first time in four years, with her horse Tactical. So excited to see Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champ Sharing represent America for Trainer Graham Motion in Saturday’s Coronation Stakes.
In celebration of the meet which can be seen televised on NBC Sports, how about some tea and scones? We believe in only the best and are serving these with Fortnum & Mason Tea – the real deal, approved by Her Royal Highness herself. 💂
Ingredients:
2 cups flour1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 egg
3 tsps organic raw sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F.2. In large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.
3. Grate butter into mixture.
4. Add cream, egg, vanilla and egg. Mix till just combined. Do not over-mix.
5. Either shape dough into disc on floured surfaced and cut into 8 equal slices or roll into 12 equal balls.
6. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Brush with cream and sprinkle sugar on top.
8. Bake about 17 minutes or till golden brown. Serve with clotted cream and preserves.
Gallery:
I miss real British Scones. Having Tea at Selfridges in London.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#COOKING: MARYLAND CRAB CAKES RECIPE
Maryland Crab Cakes. In celebration of what would’ve been the second leg of the American Triple Crown today, the Preakness Stakes, we salute resilience with this dish, which is the pride of Maryland! The race this year will be contested at Pimlico Race Course 10.3.20. We eagerly await as our favourite sport begins surfacing once again across North America! These are divine – crispy exterior, flaky, tangy interior with pronounced notes of mustard and celery. 🦀
Ingredients:
1 lb crab meat/3 cans of Clover Leaf Crab Meat
2 eggs
3 tbsps mayonnaise
1/4 cup celery, diced thinly
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsps fresh parsley/cilantro, chopped
2 1/2 tbsps Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Sea salt and pepper
Canola Oil
Instructions:
1. In large bowl, mix all ingredients, adding crab last. If using fresh crab, ensure there are no shards of claws and shells. If using canned crab, ensure you drain and pat dry with paper towels. As often, canned crab is salted, account for less salt in your recipe.
2. Form mixture into six even patties and place on parchment paper-lined tray. Refrigerate 1-2 hours, covered.
3. Heat canola oil in large skillet till hot, medium-high heat. Fry crab cakes on each side about 4-5 minutes or till golden brown.
4. Transfer to platter lined with paper towels to absorb oil.
5. Arrange on clean platter. Garnish with parsley/cilantro and serve with Tartar Sauce and a lemon wedge.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#COOKING: KEENELAND BREAD PUDDING WITH BOURBON SAUCE RECIPE
Keeneland Bread Pudding. Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky makes the best Bread Pudding and believe me, it is all the hype! We haven’t stopped thinking about it since having some. We hope to make another trip there this November for the Breeders’ Cup and get the real deal! 🍞🏇 During isolation, they have been kind enough to share their legendary recipe with fans! They use Sister Shubert Rolls, which we don’t have out our way. But we baked some superb fresh white bread last week, froze it and this was the perfect way to give it new life! Other modifications, we reduced the recipe to a third (we don’t have a party of 20 to serve it to sadly!), cutting down some of the sugar as well. I added nutmeg, the original recipe has cinnamon only. And the Bourbon Sauce absolutely is a must!
Ingredients:
1/3 loaf of white bread, cut into 1″ cubes
3 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 cup organic raw sugar
1/3 cup golden raisins
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Bourbon Sauce:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
2 tbsps Bourbon (they use Maker’s Mark)
Instructions:
1. Beat eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla with handmixer.
2. In large bowl, pour batter over bread cubes. Soak minimum 2 hours in refrigerator.
3. Preheat oven at 275°F.
3. Transfer mixture to greased baking pan. Press-on raisins, sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Bake 90 minutes or till pudding is golden brown and bounces back with a firm press. Allow to cool an hour.
5. In mixing bowl, whisk butter, Bourbon and icing sugar till creamy. Set aside and serve over warm Bread Pudding.
Official Recipe:
It’s the recipe you’ve been waiting for! The Keeneland Bread Pudding is a tradition of the track, and the @MakersMark bourbon is the key to the incredible sauce. Here’s the recipe to bring a taste of Keeneland home, and don’t forget to share with us on social. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/1vDK7IxBfx
— Keeneland (@keeneland) April 26, 2020
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