Milton, March 18, 2025– Every time the caretaker Candace Nivins and the outrageous wiring harness racing from the Woodbine Mohawk Park driver warehouse enter the racetrack, share an unspoken understanding of what this moment represents.
“She is the only horse that has ever shown me:” When you finish me, I'll take it out of here, “said 27-year-old Nivins.
In their nine lifelong races, the unbeaten Chantilly (Gigantic Jim) has given her promise and impressed her connections: owner and breeder George Millar, coach Nick Gallucci and Nivins.
Chantilly, a daughter of Gigantic Jim-Shiraz Seelster, marked by obscure spots on her white Hind Pasters, has been flawless since her emphatic 4 ¾ long debut victory on July 9, 2024 in Woodbine Mohawk Park.
It was sent in a base of the base of the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) with 2-5 by Ontario Sires Stakes Stakes Stakes (1: 54.0). Chantilly came to the race in Mohawk on June 28th from a qualification game, a 1: 59.4 mile.
A week later, Chantilly gathered by half of the fifth and won with 2½ lengths in 1: 50.4 and went up and down in her Oss Gold final in the last quarter.
Nivins almost lost these services for words.
“I was overwhelmed after the qualification game,” she recalled. “When there was no second qualification and she debuted in the base, I was speechless. After her gold victory, I was at a loss for words again.”
Nivins never saw it come.
Fate played a role in bringing the Pacer and the caretaker together.
“I didn't hit Chantilly immediately,” Nivins recalled. “When she came down from the Broodmare Farm, she was not assigned to me. Her groom left behind about two or three months before her career began, and then Nick knew that I had an open place and gave me.
“She would sleep a lot. She was just very still. She wasn't picky at all. I have never had a horse that was so effortless and effortless to work.”
Nivins, who worked over her four years as a caretaker with several outstanding horses in the Gallucci barn – including Silver Label, Velvet Stinger, Power Train, Chain Gang, Win Me Back and Bettorbuckleup – after the end of the year, as special Chantilly, was recognized.
After her two OSS crowns, Chantilly won her next seven starts, which were made of 6 ½ length when Oss Gold Super Final was closed. The other victories included the 532,000 US dollars a great lady final and the eternal camnation finale of 110,000 US dollars.
She went out as a Mutuel election in all nine races. Three of the victories came from Post Eight. Your wallet was 761,000 US dollars.
In the 36th O'Brien Awards, Chantilly was appointed the two -year pace of the Year of the Canada and the Horse of the Year. She was only the fifth two-year-old and only the third sockery, which was voted Canada's horse of the year and joined Emilie Cas el, where she withuwishuponastar, somewhat where and JK Shesalady.
Chantilly's success successfully received Millar Farms, his third Award of the Year Award and the title of the leading owner in Woodbine Mohawk Park. Gallucci won his first title of the trainer of the year, while James Macdonald, who drove Chantilly in all her victories, achieved his fourth Keith Waples Driver of the Year Award in a row.
“To be sincere, I never got that,” said Nivins. “'Tilly' never shows anything during the training. If the other horses were ponderous, they did so too. Only the first gold race did I think: 'Wow … she is something special.' It all feels like a dream. “
An extremely unexpected for Nivins.
“When I was on the college, I did a job internship for a week or two. I was friends with (long -time cable participants) Heather and Ken Hofacker. I ended my school education, had a caretaker job with a different breed that did not work, and then moved and then went for a dairy.”
She discovered that early.
“They get into a rhythm and they watch these horses grow and develop. They see that the horses win confidence and they do the same. I had a very good first year, the second year was even better, the third year was and we are here.”
Where it leads and what Chantilly comes next is to be determined.
On March 10, three-year-old Pacers were nominated for this year's $ 1 million North America Cup (G1) in Woodbine Mohawk Park 69. The 42nd edition of the most prestigious cadavity race for June 14th.
The headliner of the impressive list of cup nominated is Chantilly. It is believed that it is the first foal of stuff that has ever been nominated for the North America Cup.
“I'm not trying to think too far ahead,” said Nivins. “I'm excited, but I prefer things to take her with her every day. If she races in the cup, it would be an amazing story and fantastic advertising for our sport … but it would not change how I feel around her. She is a confident horse, and when she runs, I know that she will all make us proud.
“After every win last year, the superstition and breath begin. That's why I like to live with her and one of our horses at the moment.”
When Chantilly begins the first start of her second season, Nivins, who lives on the Millar Farm, knows what can expect as a minute before the after time.
“I am a chaos in the paddock and it is as chilly as possible. It just splits, only depends on, I have my music and try to drown everything and to stay concentrated.”
Then Nivins and Chantilly will understand the unspoken bond that they share nine times ago.
“Shortly before I let her go, she gives me a feeling of peace. She tells me: 'Don't worry … I will take care of this part and you take care of the other parts.”
from Chris LomonFor wooden leg entertainment
