There were many things, a combination of kismet, chance, chance and the definition of a team effort that Shadow Place brought to its lucky place.
“I think it should really be,” Tim Dickieson, a long -time racing horse owner who lives together with his wife Alexandra on a picturesque property in the Holland Center, Ontario. “I assume it's a kind of ordinary story how this horse landed on our farm.”
Katie Miller, a long -time rider and owner of Shadow Place, is grateful for the trip that took him there.
“Everything we can do is put our horses in the first place, and I think Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS))).
Tim Dickieson shares the same view.
“We enjoy the horses,” he said. “Sometimes it can be challenging to find places for you. I grew up with horses and lost a couple by standards of races. If you get this good connection to you and see how you continue, it is like losing something that you love. My wife and I are only cheerful to give him a good home and make sure that Katie can see him whenever she wants. “
The road that was bred by Dan Bellbente, which Shadow Place bred, went into his life after the race track began almost 14 years ago on May 22, 2011 to be precise when the son of the shadow play in the world was greeted into the world .
Shadow Place was sold as hip No. 1106 at Harrisburg Yearling Sale 2012 for $ 21,000.
After two qualifying players in June 2013, one in Mohawk, the other in Rideau Carleton, Shadow Place in the ranks of the Sires Stakes in Ontario Sires, made second place in July in a race of the grass root series at Georgian Downs.
A race later, the bay hit the guidance of coach Stephane Larocque Oss Braots Gold, the milestone on the Hannover Raceway.
His biggest triumph and his largest payday came in the 2017 edition of The Gold Cup & Saucer. The race is considered one of the most renowned racing events in Ostkanada and was fought out last year in the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Driven by Gilles Barrieau and trained by Robert Kyle Fellows, who achieved his 100th life victory with the Gold Cup & Saucer victory, Shadow Place paid $ 22 for his signature evaluation.
“Obviously the Gold Cup & Saucer grew up on the east coast and is the Holy Grail,” said Miller with Osas. “So to bring him there, let alone win it, was beyond everything I can ever describe. I actually thought I would go back to the circle of the winner this evening. He stood there for 20 minutes, like an angel, while people took very muddy photos. “
The gelding, which made a profit of 136,000 US dollars in 2017, also enjoyed other OSS successes and district trips from the winner throughout Ontario, some US racetracks during his racing life.
The race of the shadow opening race could not create a Hollywood type. But the sixth place on December 17, 2021, less than three lengths of the winners' act ended nothing to a fertile career to Sully. His speed badge 1: 49.1 was collected in his five -year campaign in the Woodbine Mohawk Park. The circular trip of his last winner came six weeks before his last start, a goal-to-wire-wire result in 1:55.
Miller was his trainer for the last nine starts of his career for a immense part of his career in various functions on the side of Shadow Place.
His statistics sheet shows 142 starts, 27 victories, 13 seconds, 19 thirds and 360,539 US dollars in wallet profit.
“When I retired four years ago, he had a tendon injury and stayed with me until the opportunity came through Osas to give him an amazing home forever with Alexandra and Tim who are nice” Regional police in Waterloo, Ontario. “Personally, I can't make such a picturesque property available to live out his days, and may never be able.”
Shadow Place is now part of a horse family and, together with the saddle horses and standard breds who also live on the farm, leads a good life.
“It is so well suited and is so good with children and other horses,” said Tim, who has a handful of standard breds. “It fits in immediately. He settled well. We do it with the other horses and they get along so well. We take you in at night and give you a nice dinner, a few apples and tell you that we will see them in the morning.
“It is effortless to understand. Our youngest son, who will soon be 18 years ancient, was not much with horses that grew up and he took it on the right. He told us: “He is the easiest to get along with everyone.”
Long -standing supporters of Osas, Tim and Alexandra are familiar with what the organization does for retired racing horses and their connections.
At the end of 2024, Tim turned to Joanne Coville, who has been working as an event coordinator at OSAS for several years, in addition to several other racing rollers, including outrid tasks at the Woodbine Entertainment Racetracks.
It would be a groundbreaking conversation for many, including Shadow Place.
“I knew Joanne from the racetrack and we had donated the OSAS golf tournament – it's such a gigantic deal,” said Tim. “I touched Base with Joanne after my wife and I talked about adding a few more horses to our farm. I said Joanne, if we could lend a hand in any way, we would like to do this.
“When we said, said Joanne:” Tim, it's humorous that you should mention that. We have a horse that won the Gold Cup & Saucer in 2017. 'She knew I had one [Likemebettor] In this race last summer and my family roots are there, so there were some compelling coincidences there. So everything started. “
The beginning of a story that would produce a fairy tale.
“It is exactly that,” said Tim. “It is a good experience to take care of a retired horse – the transition to watch her to enjoy your life afterwards. A huge majority of people who are involved with racing horses have the same attitude – they love animals and want to do the best for them, not only on the race track, but also when their careers are done. “
The door is open to Miller to visit the farm at any time.
“It is obvious how much Katie is interested in and loves this horse, so we are simply cheerful to offer him a home and let her appear at all times if she wants to visit him. I know how you have a sturdy connection and we want it to continue. “
After 142 racing miles, highlighted by a golden moment on Canadian horse racing east coast, Shadow Place feels at home.
Tim Dickieson can see that with his own eyes.
“We just have six here. We wake up, go out and have breakfast on the terrace, and it overlooks the horses in the field – they never get tired of these moments. Shadow Place – we're just lucky to have him with us. “
from Chris LomonFor wooden leg entertainment
