Thoroughblog will step back a bit today and share some short stories and videos of some special souls of our sport.
Horse racing is not only an exciting and fast sport with amazing equines who give us thrills but it is also social. How many people have you met and befriended through being at the track whether as an owner, trainer, backstretch worker or a fan?
And a love of horse racing is often passed down from generation to generation – it is a wonderful family (and friends) business. The love of the racehorse, no matter what breed, brings people together to share the joy as well as the heartbreak.
ALLEN ABBOTT loved horse racing and he shared the experience of going to the races with his family. His Equilease Racing Stable always had a horse or two racing each year, John Charalambous has been the family’s longtime horse trainer and since 2000, Abbott and his partnerships won over 47 races.
His most famous horse was MY REAL QUIET LADY, who won over $500,000 the hard way (never winning a stakes race).
Allen worked as a mutuel clerk in university and through those five years, fell in love with the sport. He worked as a financier for an equipment business and could often be seen in the Woodbine Club with his wife Nicole and children Adam and Maddie.
When he won his first stakes race in 2006 and walked across the track to the infield winner’s circle with SUMMER GIRLFRIEND, Abbott said this to Daily Racing Form:
“I’ve dreamed about this day every day,” said Abbott, who has battled through recent personal hardships, including the loss of the family home to fire and the death of his father.
“Whether it was the Star Shoot or the Queen’s Plate, I wanted to go across to that infield,” Abbott said. “This is one for the little guy.”
Adam was at Woodbine on Wednesday night, Aug. 23, when WILLY’S CASTLE won his maiden for his father’s estate. The 3yo was claimed from the race.
Adam proudly held Willy’s Castle in the winner’s circle.
The family also has Arthur’s Pass racing this year.
Allan passed away July 29. Everyone in the racing community will miss him.
Allen and Nicole Abbott
CELEBRATE OUR HORSES, CELEBRATE CANADA
Get your ticket to fun – Sept 22 – today!
LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society’s annual fundraiser this year is a Canadian celebration, a toast to our racehorses and the excitement and great friendships they brings us.
Friday Sept 22 at Woodbine – trackside tent.
A great evening of friends, fun, food and entertainment to celebrate 250 years of racing in Canada and the horses who made it happen. Wear your best red and white outfit to show how much you love this country – think lots of maple leafs and Don Cherry. Tickets $150.00 p.p. including open bar, plated meal, silent auction, entertainment and prizes!
JIM MENZIES AND HIS PIANO BAR RACING STABLE
Episode 4 Talkin Horse Racing
Thirty years following the sudden passing of his brother Drew, Jim Menzies has come full circle as he has joined the sport his brother loved with Drew’s former boss…
A TRIBUTE TO CALGARY CAT – by Jordan Chesney
Champion Calgary Cat collapsed and passed away last weekend after the Play the King Stakes. Owners Cory Hoffman and Stephen Chesney and trainer Kevin Attard had many great thrills with this wonderful gelding:
