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.

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!

 

View this post on Instagram

How do I look?? 🎖️

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:49am PDT

So Princess also has an exciting new neighbour. Fort Erie‘s newly-crowned Horse of the year and veteran warrior SNIPER has retired officially and I’m happy to report they are in love! A celebrity power couple! 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Congrats to my new neighbour SNIPER, who was awarded Horse of the Year at @forterieracetrack!

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Oct 11, 2019 at 7:27am PDT

 
Sniper
 

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!

 

 

Now we did try the Halloween costumes with Mr Will but he wasn’t quite feeling it!

 
…but we love him all the same. What a face!

 

Earlier this Summer, Emily was kind enough to throw us a BBQ and Mr Will and Princess’ worlds both collided! 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Thanks everyone for coming to my #HotGirlSummer Party last night! I love that there’s a whole watermelon left over all for me! 🍉

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Aug 12, 2019 at 9:02am PDT

 

My perfect Godchildren. 
 

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)

A PIC BY MRWILL MR WILL woodbine

It’s been a hot summer and we know our Prince William (Mr Will) and Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) have been enjoying it!

It’s been about a month since we’ve seen our dear Princess but her Mom Emily Fisher has been wonderful keeping us posted on her updates.  We’re so thrilled she’s finally able to go out and enjoy the sun and the grass after recovering fully from her injury which had her on stall rest for over a year. Emily has taken every precaution to ensure this doesn’t occur again and the wait has been worth it! We knew she would get here one day and she’s shown so much patience and deserves this happiness.

See how happy our big girl in pink looks!

Congrats also to Keveh Nicholl‘s, Princess’ new Papa, who not too long ago returned to riding on the local circuit and has picked-up some nice scores at both Fort Erie and Woodbine, including this one last weekend for Trainer Tedston Holder on STREET CAT SAM! You might recall when Princess was three, she spent the winter in Ocala, Florida training. Tedston was one of the people who took care of her down there. Amazing this all came back full circle!

She keeps growing! Princess with Keveh:

Our little Prince William (Mr Will) sure is developing quite a personality and his Mom, Trainer and Owner Michelle Love is thrilled how well he’s developing. She messaged me yesterday to tell me that his three-furlong breeze was super-professional, saying “He outworked his workmates and galloped our strongly”.  He’s building endurance as we know his first breeze a furlong longer a couple weeks back had him tuckered-out. We’re so excited!

Amidst last week’s rainstorm and subsequent flooding, Michelle brought him out on the track for a jog and it was a learning experience seeing him react to the rain. She joked he was “like a puppy”. Wish I was there to see that and snap some pics!

His awesome workout:

We still don’t have a date when Mr Will is set to make his debut but he’s sure heading in the right direction fast.

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Keveh: @kevehnicholls

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince William on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince William on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

(Photo/video credit: Emily Fisher/Michelle Love/Woodbine Entertainment/Mr. Will Wong)

The 160th edition of the Queen’s Plate took place at Woodbine Racetrack this Canada Day weekend!  The two-day festival of horse racing, fashion, music, food and drink, culminated in North America’s most historic race on Festival Saturday. The race at ten one and a quarter miles, is restricted for three-year-old horses foaled in Canada and valued at a purse of $1 million. Taking the glory was none other than California-based ONE BAD BOY. The strapping dark brown son of Twirling Candy took it wire-to-wire by 3 and 1/2 lengths over Avie’s Flatter and then Tone Broke under Flavien Prat, defeating a field of 13 in 2:02.9 minutes before a packed grandstand. Prat won the Kentucky Derby this May via disqualification aboard Country House. One Bad Boy colt is owned by a partnership of Say Jay Racing, Brooke Hubbard and Greg Hall. He was bred by Ontario’s Ron Clarkson and was sold at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale. It has just been confirmed that he will contest the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes July 23, 2019 at Fort Erie.

One Bad Boy

The two-day Festival featured a star-studded lineup of racing with six other stakes races contested including the Lady Angela, Charlie Barley, Zadracarta, King Edward, Dance Smartly and Highlander Stakes.

Holy Helena – Dance Smartly Stakes, the 2017 Queen’s Plate victress shows she’s still got it! Her owner, icon Frank Stronach was in attendance.

Synchrony – King Edward Stakes, the American invader is owned by Josephine Abercrombie‘s Pin Oak Stable and she too graced us with an appearance.

Wet Your Whistle – Highlander Stakes, the off-the-pace sprinter went last-to-first for American-based trainer Michael Trombetta, who has found stakes success locally this season.

The Black Album (FR) – Charlie Barley Stakes, this French-bred colt ridden by Flavien Prat, is owned by Team Valor and Hollywood Mega-Producer Gary Barber, and regained the winning form he showed in France last year.

Desert Isle – Zadracarta Stakes, this Graham Motion-trained filly is owned by iconic Canadian outfit, Sam-Son Farms

Ciuri – Lady Angela Stakes, this Bob Tiller trainee owned by the same connections as Woodbine legend Pink Lloyd, was one of two stakes winners at Woodbine this weekend by red-hot sire Souper Speedy.

Also taking place at Woodbine this weekend was the unveiling of the new Inner Turf course. I recall Woodbine having had a Marshall Turf Course as a child, however this new, improved and re-branded course gives fans something new to cheer about and a new angle to wager on.

The Queen’s Plate is rooted in tradition and pageantry. Lovely seeing Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell with us once again, a vision of royalty.

We wished we had more of a chance to enjoy the Hats & Horseshoes Party and witness some of the Fashion, but our focus always has been the amazing racing on Queen’s Plate Festival weekend and we simply had to choose with six stake races on one card. We did spot these amazing looks including a Pretty Woman homage and David Dunkley owning the fascinator and hat game!

JUNO winners THE WASHBOARD UNION headlined the Queen’s Plate Festival, playing Festival Friday. The Trio treated fans to a surprise bringing on-stage fellow JUNO winner, BRETT KISSEL! Check-out a Clip of them performing their new single, “She Gets Me” below.

“She Gets Me”

And for your favourite part of our coverage of course, our world-famous Selfies!

One Bad Boy and his winning connections, including Co-Owners Brooke Hubbard and Greg Hall

The Washboard Union and Brett Kissel

Kaitlyn Leeb, star of upcoming Netflix Figure Staking series SPINNING OUT

Fort Erie‘s Ashley Mailloux joined us this weekend, contributing to HRRN‘s Queen’s Plate coverage

Beauty Queen and TVG personality Megan Devine also gave us a real treat with her visit. Amazing seeing America’s Best Racing‘s Dan Tordjman and Boston’s Woodbine fan extraordinaire, Sean Patrick Nolan back too!

This amazing sculpture had Instagram ‘lit’ Queen’s Plate Festival weekend!

Also, our dear friend Dawn Lupul, who has given fans amazing race analysis for eleven years now, says goodbye. We will miss her so much at the races and can’t wait for her next venture in holistic health and wellness. Send her your regards at @DawnLupul.

Congrats to our Reader, Cindy who won a pair of passes to the Festival this weekend. She had a blast, meeting The Washboard Union and also our adorable Mr Will!

More on the Queen’s Plate here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment)

We’re a week away from the party of the Summer, the Queen’s Plate Festival! North America’s most historic horse race, the 160th edition of the $1-million Queen’s Plate, caps-off a two-day Festival of Horse Racing, Fashion, Music, Drink and Food at gorgeous Woodbine Racetrack.

Canadian Country sensations THE WASHBOARD UNION headline the Festival’s Friday night, followed by HIGH VALLEY on the Saturday night, among other musical acts.

An awesome card of races is slated for the Festival including some world-class talent arriving for the Dance Smartly Stakes, the Highlander Stakes and King Edward Stakes.

Let’s meet some of the top Queen’s Plate contenders (Horse Name/Trainer/Owner/Jockey) in the big race, shall we?

Avie’s Flatter / Josie Carroll / Ivan Dalos / Javier Castellano

Desert Ride (filly) / Neil Howard / Sam-Son Farm / Steven Bahen

Federal Law / Mark Casse / Qatar Racing Limited / Jamie Spencer

He’s a Macho Man / Josie Carroll / Di Scola Boys Stable / Patrick Husbands

Krachenwagen / Angus Buntain / Greenoaks Farm / Jeffrey Alderson

Lucas n’ Lori / Kevin Attard / Frank Cirillo / Kazushi Kimura

Moon Swings / Michael De Paulo / Zilli Racing Stables / Jesse Campbell

One Bad Boy / Richard Baltas / Sayjay Racing LLC / Flavien Prat

Pay for Peace / Rachel Halden / Team Penney Racing and Lisa Moser / Rafael Hernandez

Rising Star / Michael De Paulo / Zilli Racing Stables / Justin Stein

Skywire / Mark Casse / Gary Barber and Lou Tucci / Eurico Rosa Da Silva

Don’t forget to support the Queen’s Plate 50/50 Raffle to support Rethink Breast Cancer, where there’s a guaranteed prize of $2,500 CAN. Details at http://qp5050.ca.

Need inspiration for your perfect Queen’s Plate look? Check-out this awesome 2019 Queen’s Plate Style Guide by Zach Ramelan, featuring some of Canadian Racing’s most familiar personalities and Toronto influencers!

We’re thrilled to share one of our favourite joys with you and give Toronto Readers a chance to win a pair of passes to this amazing experience! These passes are good for both days of the Queens Plate Festival.

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK! Tell us in the comments who your pick is to win the 2019 Queen’s Plate, the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown. You also may enter on Twitter by Re-Tweeting this Tweet from @mrwillw or “liking” this Instagram Post from @mrwillwong and leaving a comment with your pick there also!  Increase your chances and enter on all three platforms!!!

You are responsible for your own transportation.

The Queen’s Plate Festival takes place Friday, June 27 through Saturday, June 28, 2019 at Woodbine Racetrack. More on how to get tickets here.

Follow Woodbine Racetrack on Instagram here and Twitter here.

You’ll see me there, trust me!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment/Zach Ramelan)

It’s the most fashionable event of the spring in Toronto!  The Greenwood Stakes is back again at Woodbine, the Toronto cousin to Vancouver’s Deighton Cup.

DETAILS:

Date: Saturday, May 25, 2019.
Gates Open: 12:00PM – 5:00PM.
Post Time: 1:00PM.
Location: Woodbine Racetrack – 555 Rexdale Blvd.
Transportation: Guests can drive to the Racetrack, grab our Greenwood Express Bus Tickets, or you can book an Uber, it’s only a 25 minute drive.
Food: À la carte pre-purchased menu items will be available.
Beverage: Cash bar, VISA, Mastercard, and AMEX also accepted.
Dress Code: Derby Attire.
Cost: Tickets starting at $75.

You know we love Woodbine and we’d love to give our Toronto Readers a chance to win a pair of passes (value $150) to attend the Greenwood Stakes! We’ll also be there and would love to introduce you to our namesake racehorse MR. WILL for a Photo Op also!

We had so much fun last year!

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and also follow @GreenwoodStakes on Twitter. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

You will be responsible for your own transportation.

Visit http://greenwoodstakes.com for more.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Greenwood Stakes)

Happy Easter from our little Prince William and Princess! 🐇

It’s been a bit since we’ve checked in with you about our two stars.  MR. WILL or William as we like to call him around the barn, is progressing great for his Owner and Trainer Michelle Love, going for regular jogs around the Training Track at Woodbine with his sis, a sweet two-year-old filly by hot sire Souper Speedy, who is unnamed but known right now as Anastasia (yes, as in Fifty Shades of Grey).

Michelle tells us, “He’s doing great! They ran down the lane for an 1/8th (one furlong) for the first time yesterday”. It is exciting seeing the little guy put together the building blocks to becoming a racehorse. The two also went for their first walk today with the weather a bit nicer out finally, getting acclimated with the track and surroundings, which will be crucial later as part of their pre-race when they transition to the Main Track at Woodbine later.

He definitely is a good student and something about his introvertedness tells us he means business.  That aside, he is a bit of a cuddlebug and it made me so happy to see him warm-up to a Bunny plushie we brought one (one for his sis too, of course!).  His caretaker Jayne who adores him so much, nicknamed him “Sucky Face” for his adorable pout.  Michelle and I are actually shocked he hasn’t ripped it apart yet, so maybe he does have a gentle side!

 Mr. Will x Bunny

Mr. Will x Jayne

Mr. Will and his loving Aunties Katya, Lauren x Brianna

Mr. Will at work under Nikki and his sis under his Mama, learning to be off the rail and on the rail

Just William

Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) continues to recover at her temporary home out in Caledon and we’re totally with her in her restlessness for some good weather. For the first time ever, I heard her let out a nicker, signalling her eagerness for time outside her stall. Emily Fisher continues to do an amazing job caring for her and it shouldn’t be long before she gets that vet clearance to be able to go outside again and just be a horse! She’s definitely earned it and we can’t to see her run free outside.

We recently stopped by for a visit and Princess got to spend time with both her moms Cathy and Emily. We could see how happy she was for a bit of us time, snacking on all her favourites after finishing up her dinner.

A Pic by Mrwill with Cathy x Emily

See a couple candid clips of our stars:

We’re a bit early but wishing you all an amazing long weekend ahead! May you find many treasures on your hunt.

We look forward to seeing you at the races at Woodbine, with opening weekend being next weekend!

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

February was a big month for our dear Prince and Princess with both of them being born in the month! Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) celebrated her fifth birthday on February 5th and we were so happy to throw a little party for her where’s she staying and it was an amazing afternoon seeing her out of her stall, bandages off being spoiled!

Miraculously, she still is growing and while she’s a bit sore from her stall rest, she gets her regular massages which she loves.  Emily, her Mama even showed us a few pointers how she likes to be massaged!  She tells us Princess will take a year off to get better and just enjoy life. Motherhood will be looked at next year. We’re beyond excited for her! In the meantime she enjoys her hand walks with her Mama around the barn.

See some Snaps of our day together Emily, Sheri, Billy, Princess and I:

After our celebration, she had another party with Emily and there were little Princess Cupcakes! Amazing!

… and we must introduce you to our new friend at the barn, Lincoln. He literally is the cutest and Princess adores him!

Emily sent us this beautiful candid taken by her sister, Chantelle!

Photo by little Cailey Love!

Follow along on Social Media:

Emily: @emifisher

Michelle: @missesluv

Princess on Instagram: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Princess on Facebook: APicbyMrwill

Prince on Instagram: @mrwillthehorse

Prince on Twitter: @mrwillthehorse

One of the biggest fashion events of the season, will be back once again Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Woodbine Racetrack!

A sister to Vancouver’s Deighton Cup, Toronto’s own Greenwood Stakes is a fabulous excuse for Toronto’s fashionable set to experience world-class Horse Racing and be seen!

Details:
When: Saturday, May 25, 2019
Where: Woodbine Racetrack – 555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto
Time: 12 – 5 p.m.
Race Post Time: 1 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $75
Dress Code: Derby attire

In addition to amazing music, cocktails, food and photo ops, the day will be highlighted by the inaugural running of the $125k Greenwood Stakes a six-furlong stakes races for horses three-years-old and up.

We had fun last year and even spotted some stars! More here.

Tickets nn sale March 6; available online at https://www.greenwoodstakes.com.