The 161st edition of the Queen’s Plate was run at Woodbine Racetrack yesterday, headlining a stakes-filled card of racing. While the public was not permitted to attend this year, owners and connections were allowed to be present with safety guidelines in-place including mandatory temperature check, face coverings and social distancing measures.
Even without fans in attendance, betting totaled $14.5 million, a very impressive number helped by American fans hungry for the sport amidst this Pandemic. They continue to turn to Woodbine‘s quality product for entertainment.
The marquee race saw top Canadian-bred three-year-old horses facing-off at a distance of 1 1/4 miles for a purse of $1 million, drawing a field of 14 competitors. Winning the race was one-eyed colt MIGHTY HEART under Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto for Trainer Josie Caroll and Owner and Breeder Larry Cordes. While the grandstand has largely been quiet of late with restricted visitor access, cheers were loud for the son of Dramedy, who overcame his physical limitation to run the second-fastest edition of the Queen’s Plate ever at 2:01.98 leading all the way. No cheers were louder though than those of his handlers Siobhan Brown and Renee Dockstader who were overjoyed at the win. It has been a phenomenal year for 23-year-old Japanese import Fukumoto who just earlier this year won his first stake race on another Carroll trainee, Court Return after arriving at Woodbine in 2016. Carroll last won the Queen’s Plate in 2011 with filly Inglorious.
While he still has yet to win a race, NK Racing and LNJ Foxwoods’ BELICHICK ran a stellar second at 26-1 odds under Slade Callaghan, giving Carroll a 1-2 finish in the prestigious race.
CLAYTON, who was the morning line favourite for the race, ran third under Rafael Hernandez and Trainer Kevin Attard. He went off as the second choice at 3-1 odds.
The $250k Bison City Stakes for three-year-old Canadian-bred fillies born in Canada, known also as the second leg of Canada’s Triple Tiara, was taken by American-based MIZZEN BEAU under Jockey Steven Bahen. The daughter of Mizzen Mast is owned by Daniel Investment Holdings and trained by Norm Casse and has been spending much time at Woodbine the past bit gearing-up for this Summer campaign with the help of his father Mark Casse‘s Toronto team. She prior had finished fourth in August’s Woodbine Oaks.
Sam-Son Farm‘s RIDEFORTHECAUSE sprung an upset at 22-1 odds in the $250k Canadian Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. David Moran piloted the win which saw her make a big sweeping move at the top of the stretch after exhibiting some nerves in the pre-race. The Gail Cox Trainee is a daughter of Candy Ride and came off another win early August at Woodbine.
Talented Chad Brown Trainee CAMBIER PARC shipped-up for the race and ran a credible second in the Canadian Stakes.
The Ruling Angel Stakes, named in honour of another great Sam-Son Farm filly, was taken by ARTIE’S PRINCESS whom while based in the U.S. under the care of Trainer Wesley Ward, has capitalized off her Canadian breeding running in restricted races, finding success at Woodbine. Finally, she notched her first stakes score in the race under Justin Stein.
Justin Stein also took the King Corrie Stakes earlier on the card aboard Cathal Lynch-owned and trained FRANCATELLI, continuing his red-hot riding streak of late, taking three races on the card.
Leo Salles also took three wins on the card earlier in the day.
While largely quiet this year, some sights from the day including a visit from Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdswell and a visit from retired top Jockey, Eurico Rosa Da Silva.
Special thanks to David Dunkley, official Millner of the Queen’s Plate for sending me this elegant mask he designed!
Another stakes-filled weekend of racing takes place next weekend at Woodbine with the Grade I $1 million Woodbine Mile, plus also the Grade I Natalma and Summer Stakes!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
He’s back! Just after the anniversary of his being purchased by Michelle Love at the CTHS Premier Yearling Sale in 2018, our William (MR WILL) is scheduled to make his third start ever at Woodbine Racetrack this Sunday, September 13, 2020, race 8, approximately 4:40 PM ET. Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) also went through that same sale in 2015!
We hope our friends all got what they wanted at this year’s sale. Can’t wait to see new talent at the track next year!
While William‘s last race was disappointing, it was not without reason. After a bit of bumping and being forced wide, he decided to pack it in after stepping-up a bit in class against tougher competition. The top-two finishers were well-meant, so we have absolutely no hard feelings about it. Mr Will returned to his barn full of fire and ready to attack, knowing he was capable of more. He also had a cut on his now-healed hock. Understandably, all these challenges combined made for a less than stellar effort.
Since then, he’s posted a couple breezes in the morning. A couple weeks ago, he went with a horse from Nicholas Gonzalez‘s barn who ran last Sunday in a tough Allowance race and lost narrowly in a multi-horse photo finish to get fourth, so that bodes well. He also did a little tune-up a few days back and Michelle tells us he galloped out strongly. Hoping this confidence transfers to the track in this next race as his first race was so solid and promising. He was meant to run last week although the race didn’t fill completely, so here’s his chance.
I was so happy to be able to see him in-person again in his last race. The last time I saw him was March. Rest assured, I came armed with goodies – he only loves Peppermints (trust me, he’s rejected fancy horsey biscuits from me) – and a stuffie for him. He may be growing-up quickly but he’s still my little boy. You can bet I’ll be there to show him my support!
Some snaps I got of him:
A huge congrats goes to Michelle, who notched her first stakes-placing Sunday in the $250k Simcoe Stakes with Took a Wrong Turn! The talented young man by sire Souper Speedy got third, confirming the potential she saw in him!
We also caught-up with Princess for the first time since the Pandemic started. So happy to see her adjusting to life at her new home with her Mom Emily Fisher. She is so lucky to live in such a beautiful space, with plenty of room to run. As she’s spent much of her life living indoors and recovering in a stall, this change has taken a bit of getting used to. For one, she’s very used to being socialized around people hence admittedly is a bit of a ‘loner’ when it comes to playing with her new sisters who have all gotten acquainted with one another over the years. She will get there and we can confirm, she still LOVES to eat, knowing exactly what ensues when she gets a visit from me! Have missed her so much. Best of luck to Emily and Lakeside Retreat as they embark on their Eventing career together.
Some snaps. And yes, she still does that adorable thing with her front legs when she eats.
Wish us luck! Thanks for all your continued interest and support!
We hope it isn’t long before you are able to be back at Woodbine too and also that you have fun enjoying the Queen’s Plate from home!
Don’t forget to follow Princess and William!
(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group/Mr. Will Wong)
Super Saturday definitely wasn’t a lie. It was the best Saturday we’ve had all year.
While the public still is enjoying the Woodbine Racetrack‘s world-class racing online and on television, Stage III in Ontario’s reopening has signaled the green light for local media now to return to the races. I was delighted to return to the races once again, which has been my favourite pastime since I was three years old. It’s been a tough 2020, made tougher by not being able to see our friends and favourite athletes. But truly, my grievances aren’t unlike anyone else’s. I am fortunate to be healthy and glad nobody in my circle has fallen ill. I am happy to be well enough to write this post, you lucky to be well and reading along. Without health, we have nothing.
The stage is rather different this time around. Visits to the races now require at least 24 hours’ registration. The day of the visit, an online health check is to be completed prior to arrival. When arriving, our temperature is taken and our name is verified on a list of approved visitors. As of today, owners with horses racing are permitted to bring a guest who like them go through screening, but are to leave after the race. Even if they have multiple horses running on the card, they are to leave between races. Prior to this weekend media, other than TSN and their Thursday Racing Night Live broadcast, were not allowed on premises.
My temperature reads 97°F. I ask the Security Guard, what temperature exactly is deemed inadmissible. “If you are over 100°F, we will not allow you in”, she informs me. I gain a bit of wisdom and move along.
I make my way to the Trackside Apron, one of the areas we are permitted to be. The E.P. Taylor Turf Course is as beautiful and manicured as I remember. Several canopies are set-up to provide Owners, Grooms and Trainers some relief from the relentless sun. Track Announcer Robert Geller‘s crisp timbre Brit-Aussie accent can be heard throughout the speakers. It’s a site that’s fondly-familiar other than bits of weeds peeking through cracks on the pavement. At once, it is an odd view with new things situated where they weren’t before. This certainly is a far cry from the festive atmosphere we see on Queen’s Plate Day – a grandstand filled with fans in fascinators and suits, cheers erupting as the horses thunder down the stretch. Part of me is so happy to be back, but part of me also is terrified.
Like myself, others around me are super-cautious of our face coverings slipping out of place. As the humid afternoon progresses, I admit it is difficult to breathe at times. My “new normal” at home consists of daily hour-long walks to avoid putting-on an extra “Covid-20”. On my walks, I wear a face covering, stopping occasionally for groceries or something at the drug store. Other than a couple Zoom chats with friends, that’s been the extent of my human interaction. I am working at home comfortably in air conditioning, where navigating a mask is just an afterthought. Track Workers, Hotwalkers, Grooms and Trainers are required to wear these all day long. And it is the responsibility of Woodbine‘s Security and Operations staff to ensure that everyone is in compliance. The rule is enforced with great diligence. This is for our safety and understandably, there is a learning curve in our new normal. The occasional nose exposed quickly is corrected when pointed-out. Commuting to and attending the races before rarely warranted second-guessing ourselves. Our new normal now involves bringing a back-up face covering and extra sanitizer even though there are plenty of dispensers at Woodbine; we sanitize our hands obsessively; we try not to grab the bus pole or door handles; and we are concerned when someone on the bus ride to the races isn’t wearing a mask or if someone is sitting or standing too close. We see friends at the track we haven’t seen in a long time and by instinct want to give them a hug, before correcting ourselves and offering an “air hug”. All it takes is one person to be in contact with one person who has been infected.
There are no guarantees and we can only do our best to ensure we stay safe. That being said, we are grateful to be doing again what we love so much, bringing the community and fans together with our content and photos, even if on a more limited scale and from further vantage points.
Budweiser Woodbine Oaks Day was certainly the day to come back to the track with a card loaded with five of the meet’s most important stakes: the Grade II Dance Smartly; Grade III Bold Venture; Grade II King Edward; official Queen’s Plate prep race the Plate Trial; and the titular stakes which sees the best Canadian-foaled three-year-old fillies vie for $500k. Many a winner of the latter have also gone-on to beat their male counterparts in the $1-million Queen’s Plate, which traditionally is contested in July but takes an altered course amidst the Pandemic to be contested next month.
Some snaps from the day below, including a fantastic day for Woodbine‘s leading rider Rafael Hernandez (Twitter: @HernandezRafii) taking four races, three of those stakes scores. One interesting thing about U.S. border and quarantine restrictions is that we saw members of our jockey colony take all five Super Saturday stakes – a big win for the locals. We are used to seeing American-based jockeys invade and sweep.
With purses more lucrative than ever and that fact that Woodbine has a secure plan in place for the 2020 meet, we are seeing some high-profile Owners and Trainers from abroad bring their horses up to Woodbine. Top Trainers like Eoin Harty for the Maktoum family’s Godolphin, Wesley Ward, Doug O’Neill and Michael Trombetta are seeking success at Woodbine and this is exciting to see. Case in point, Harty and Godolphin, with the assistance of Team Catherine Day Phillips whom often care for their horses on-site, notched a score in a $123k maiden event with Brassy, a regally-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro on the undercard Super Saturday.
Above this, numbers are strong with betting handles as healthy as ever. Super Saturday pulled-in $7.4 million in wagering thanks to American fans turning their sights north to Woodbine for its quality brand of racing during the Pandemic.
Being back at the races meant seeing old friends and also some new faces I’ve been longing to see all year! A great deal of gratitude goes to the hardworking team at Woodbine for getting the season to where it is. I only hope it’s not too long before fans can be back.
It wouldn’t be a Mr. Will post without some star selfies! How I’ve missed these!
We’re exhausted, but resting-up for the Queen’s Plate, set to take place Saturday, September 12, 2020. Even with it coinciding during the Toronto International Film Festival, you can expect to see us there!
While tickets are on-hold still for the #QueensPlate, check back here often for updates.
Also, be following Woodbine on Twitter @WoodbineTB.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
We hope your long weekend is starting great! Amazing news! Our boy MR WILL is back and ready to rumble in his second race ever, Thursday, August 7, 2020, race 5 at Woodbine Racetrack! We’re so thrilled that we’ve been invited as a guest to watch him race amidst COVID-19 precautions.
In case you missed it, his debut on July 2, 2020 was aired nationally on TSN‘s RACING NIGHT LIVE and he ran a smashing race, pressuring the pace all the way, never backing down to finish a game second. The betting public let him get away at a big 15-1 odds, but we feel his odds will be much lower this time around based on that run under jockey David Moran.
Here is the race:
We couldn’t be happier and prouder of MR WILL. And if we were going to come second, we couldn’t be more pleased coming second to DOUBLE THE HEART from Team John Ross, who gifted me with the experience of our dear Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL). That one race earned him $7,110 paying back his original purchase price and more.
See how proud he was of himself after the race! He’s honestly just adorable! He loves to race!
MR WILL has taken a while to get to the races, but is proving well worth the wait. He is coming into this second race in amazing shape and his main obstacle is a step-up in class. He ran a very quick race the first time out garnering an 84 Speed Figure on Equibase, and looked like he has it in him to go a little bit further.
While he’s never been known to throw “bullet” workouts in the morning, he does just enough to get fit and doesn’t usually let his workmates pass him. Owner/Trainer Michelle Love is having a productive season so far and we’re hoping MR WILL notches her another win to reward her for her excellent work!
In preparation for the race, he’s put-in a solid workout and is as sharp as ever!
Here are the entries. Among others we’ll be squaring-off with Mark Casse trainee PRICELESS WILL! What a coincidence! He is pegged at 6-1, the fourth choice.
Good luck to all other entrants!
We hope you’ll tune-in on the HPI channel. Unfortunately our race is just right before the start of TSN RACING NIGHT LIVE and you won’t be able to see him on TSN this time.
A very special thanks to Erica of Security at Woodbine Racetrack, who knew how much a photo of MR WILL on his big day with his Caretaker Jayne meant to me!
Wish us luck! Hope you make some money! We’ll be extra careful following some strict COVID-19 safety guidelines in order to enjoy the race. But we’ll take lots of pics!
Meanwhile on the Princess front, she’s been loving life with her family at her newly-renovated home with her Mama Emily Fisher. Outdoor life doesn’t look like it’s been too tough a transition for her. She’s never been happier! Gotta love how she still lifts one leg up while enjoying something yummy! Love it!
Everyone continue to stay safe, we have a ways to go!
(Photo/video credit: Michelle Love/Woodbine Entertainment/Emily Fisher/Erica Daniela)
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)
After a long journey here, we’re thrilled to announce Mr Will will make his debut at the races very soon! The race goes off Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Woodbine Racetrack, Race 8 at 7:15 PM ET. If you have the HPI Channel, please remember to tune in and put in a wager on the HPI app! The race also will be on TSN Racing Night Live before a national audience! If you’re in the US, watch and wager with TVG!
After multiple setbacks which prevented him from making his start last season, our boy has been training very well and Owner/Trainer Michelle Love was very impressed with his final tune-up which saw him out-work his workmates, feeling great after. While the race is late in the day, we think they’ll be great together! We’re not expecting perfection, but this start should give him the foundation to build on as he looks to have speed and talent.
Aboard Mr Will for this start is David Moran, who is riding amazingly-well thus far this season including a stakes win on wondermare Jean Elizabeth who notched her eighth straight stakes win last weekend, at Woodbine.
Also, a huge congrats to Michelle and Team who notched their first score this season today at Woodbine with Ezme’sgirl! Nikki Alderson who has been instrumental getting Mr Will in-shape in the mornings also got her first win ever at Woodbine!
We see also A Pic by Mrwill‘s former Trainer and Owner John Ross also is in the race with Double the Heart. Good luck to him and all entrants!
We’re gutted COVID-19 restrictions won’t allow us to be there but we will be cheering from home! We hope you’ll join us! We appreciate your support!
Hey @mrwillthehorse you are going to be on national television when you debut next Thursday @Misses_Love666 @mrwillw!
— Jeff Bratt (@WoodbineBratt) June 26, 2020
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
And in the blink of an eye the 2020 season has begun at Woodbine Racetrack! We heard the cries of frustration of the racing community and we couldn’t be happier for them. While we won’t be permitted to watch races in-person for a bit, watching them on TV from home gives us a bit of comfort seeing familiar faces once again, even if from afar. The purses are bigger than ever, the daily handles are gastronomical. Some new stars are emerging and some are back with a vengeance!
Racing went off without a hitch on opening weekend @WoodbineTB. The combined Saturday/Sunday handle was a solid $11.3 million. Racing resumes Thursday. No Friday card this week. #woodbine
— Ron Gierkink (@DRFGierkink) June 7, 2020
Much credit goes to the team at Woodbine for ensuring everything was to standard and beyond getting the athletes and workers to this stage.
We had so much fun catching-up with some of our closest racing friends over Zoom today and we all agree we can’t wait to see each other again at the track. So blessed to have met so many friends in the community whom we’ve developed such strong bonds with that extend beyond the races. We were planning our road trips as soon as we’re permitted to be at the races again and already have a list of tracks to visit!
So nice seeing my racing pals on Zoom! @WoodbineTB, we are coming for you whenever you’ll let us! @ZenyattaMafia @reddogcw @All_ice007 @SPNnation74 @JohnW70112 pic.twitter.com/rVmGav2t6w
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) June 7, 2020
One question that popped-up was when Mr Will is going to make his big debut! We’re thrilled to confirm that it’s happening soon, according to his Owner/Trainer Michelle Love. Physically, he’s never looked stronger and we are so grateful for the patience his Exercise Rider Nikki Alderson and Michelle have shown him. He does continue to throw some speedy workouts, which might go unnoticed when 150 horses are training at the same distance on the same day, many with much more experience than him. We learned that William‘s gate training was his biggest obstacle showing his teenage moodiness and reluctance to go in, but we’re thrilled to report that he got his “Gate Card” this past weekend. This means that he’s met the standard to begin racing soon! We’re overjoyed.
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Game faces. ♦️ Thanks @ellenschoemanphotography for capturing Nikki and me today!
William has been working in company and keeping-up with his stablemate Bend in the River who lost only narrowly today in his second race. Sadly, his buddy was claimed by a new Owner and Trainer, but Michelle had done an amazing job with that one getting him ready. We’re confident William will make us proud as he figures out what it is to be a racehorse. We don’t expect him to get it right off the bat. Like us, sometimes we take a few tries to get it. Don’t be surprised if you see his name in the entries really soon!
He did a bit of schooling today with Jayne, his Caretaker and Michelle tells us he was on his best behaviour.
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More training with Mom and Jayne. I was a very good boy, Mom says. Thank God there were no gates!
We all love Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) and while this isolation period has us missing our Mr Will and Princess time, it gives us great reassurance knowing how well cared-for they are. Princess and her family have moved to a fantastic facility temporarily while her forever home is completing renovation at her Mom Emily Fisher‘s private residence. She misses her little brothers Freddy and Eddy so much, the latter who loves to chase her and the girls around, keeping them fit! But they will be reunited soon!
Doesn’t she look gorgeous? Great to know she’s keeping-up with her grooming. Hoping we can get a haircut soon too!
Wishing everyone an amazing 2020 racing season. Win lots! We hope it won’t be long before we see you again!
Follow along on Social Media:
Emily: @emifisher
Michelle: @missesluv
Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill
Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill
Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill
Prince William on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse
Prince William on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse
(Photo credit: Emily Fisher/Michelle Love/Ellen Schoeman)
2020 has been awful challenging. Believe me, our hearts are with the Horse Racing community right now with racing cancelled or postponed both sides of the border, with a select few racetracks continuing operations with access restricted to the public. With the 2020 season postponed indefinitely at Woodbine Racetrack, we are glad that safety of the community is being placed first on the backstretch. At the same time, we worry for our friends whose livelihoods depended on that initial April 18, 2020 start date and also the concerned owners who have to wait even longer for a return on investment from their stock. We know for certain this period of isolation amidst COVID-19 worries, will continue into the Summer and our racing season’s marquee event the Queen’s Plate, accordingly has followed suit in its postponement.
Despite all this, we have our health and safety to treasure and I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else than Canada where at a provincial and federal level, the situation has been handled in an exemplary manner. The 2020 racing season will commence at some point and those fruits of labour also will come. Sending all my support and encouragement that while times are harrowing and tough right now, we are all in this for the long haul and we are not alone in our losses. While setbacks are temporary, resilience will prevail in the end. Let’s not obsess about things that weigh-down our spirits, but instead do all we can do to help us all get back to business as soon and safe as possible. Know at the end of the day those fans will be there to cheer the community on at the end of the tunnel when time allows.
That being said, we were so excited to see Mr Will return to training last month after nursing a minor injury over the winter. The time away looks to be paying off. His Owner/Trainer Michelle Love reports to us after outfinishing his workmate under exercise rider Nikki Alderson, “Our boy came out of his workout better then ever!! He thinks he’s a racehorse now. All business.”. That brings me joy and he just returned home again for some rest with the delayed start of the racing season. His much anticipated debut will come before we know it and we know it will be so worth it!
Some Snaps of Mr Will‘s first jog on Woodbine‘s Training Track under Love, accompanied by his Dad, Rob Love, Woodbine’s Head Outrider. It was awful quiet that morning, being frigid out, but he was super-professional!
Mr Will also was paired again with Jayne Smith, who always gives him that extra bit of loving care.
…and of course a new Snuggle Buddy for our little champ! He loves his plushies.
Did I tell you how Mr Will and Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) finally met? I was overjoyed seeing them together at last! Mr Will and some of the babies from Love’s stable were brought to the facility where Princess is boarded for some schooling earlier this year. They hit it off just great!
Princess continues to thrive in her life of retirement. Her Mom Emily Fisher (second photo, above) has done a fantastic job nursing her back to wellness and socializing her with her new family. Princess always has been a special filly, perhaps getting along better with humans than horses. You might recall she almost lost her life as a baby, getting nursed back to health by caretakers and of course our constant pampering made her lose sight of who she really is. She’s adjusted beautifully, enjoying her time outdoors in the company of her family.
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Happy. Everyone stay safe. Protect your loved ones by sanitizing and avoiding unnecessary travel. ♥️
And just like that, another year has passed! 2019 in Horse Racing was unique in that we didn’t have any one standout. Many had a chance to shine throughout the year and for the first time in quite some time, the race for Horse of the Year in Canada is wide-open. The fact that the main contenders all come from different Trainers, is a testament to that.
Could it be former claimer-turned Grade I victress STARSHIP JUBILEE who gets the crown or might it be Woodbine fan favourite PINK LLOYD who takes the honours once again? EL TORMENTA shocked us with an upset score in the Grade I Woodbine Mile, making a valid argument for himself as well. Or might it be TONE BROKE who came from the U.S. to the country he was born and double-scored in the last two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown? We will find out next April at the Sovereign Awards!
Keeping with tradition, we’ve compiled our Year in Horses remembering 2019 in our travels to Woodbine, Saratoga and Belmont. Thank you to the community as always for your warm welcome and the athletes for giving us something to cheer for!
Enjoy, and buckle up, this one’s a fast ride!
Racing returns to Woodbine Racetrack April 20, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Honestly, where did the summer go? We have had the busiest August-September ever but we’re happy to catch a breather finally and take in what a productive year it’s been so far. I’ll admit my birthday this year is going to be extra tough without having Billy around, but what one can do is surround themselves with those they love and what better way to lift my spirits than to see our Princess and Prince this weekend?
Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) was such a sight for sore eyes. We’re so happy to see her back to her old self. She was beginning to get a bit antsy being on stall rest and also coming out of it, but she seems to have calmed down significantly thanks to the amazing work of her new mom Emily Fisher. Emily has been so patient bringing her around and Princess has never looked better! Cathy, Princess’ former owner was excited to see her as it had been a while and I decided to bring Amanda from Team Mr. Will, plus my BFF Habeyah up to see her. Amanda and Habeyah were a bit hesitant to feed Princess treats because she is so tall and towering, but after showing them the way – hands flat with carrots laid-out on the palm – they realized quickly there was nothing to be afraid of! They actually found Princess to be quite gentle and fuzzy. She definitely loves her treats so it should be no surprise how much she loves dressing-up for Halloween. We had so many little get-ups for Princess to try on and she nailed all the looks!
Boop!
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Congrats to my new neighbour SNIPER, who was awarded Horse of the Year at @forterieracetrack!
Our little Prince William (Mr Will) recently returned home to his family’s farm in Mono after a summer of training at Woodbine Racetrack. After training very forwardly, he’s had some minor setbacks and his Owner/Trainer Michelle Love has confirmed he will debut in 2020. She is very excited about his potential and she is doing the right thing, taking her time with him.
We made a quick visit to see him and he was in great spirits, taking handfuls of Peppermints from me. The handsome little devil looked so happy running around nursing a small cut he got playing with one of the new additions to the family. William‘s sis Anastasia (Show Some Skin) will make her debut this weekend and we’re so excited finally for our schedule to line-up right to see her run!
Follow along on Social Media:
Emily: @emifisher
Michelle: @missesluv
Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill
Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill
Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill
Prince William on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse
Prince William on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse
(Photo credit: Emily Fisher/Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com