Hoss Talk

This year, a nine year-old racehorse that refused to retire and a Hall of Fame driver who was given a second chance, make our list of top local horse racing stories.
Ferguson & Russell’s, popular BC bred thoroughbred Kid Katabatic was born in 1993 and made his first start in late 1996.
During his long racing career, under the training of Shauna Ferguson, Kid Katabatic became one of the most popular horses to race in the Northwest.
His career appeared to be over when in only his third start of 2001, he finished eighth in the Longacres Mile. 
After that race Ferguson decided the horse should be retired to a local horse farm .
This past January and now five months into retirement, Ferguson noticed Kid Katabatic was still full of himself whenever let to run in the paddock at the farm. 
“After watching him perform on the farm, we decided to put him back into training. Within weeks, he showed us how much he wanted to race again.” said Ferguson.
Because Kid Katabatic had never experienced any major ailments during his racing career, she felt a comeback was possible.
Before making her final decision, she asked herself, could a horse old enough and referred to as grandad compete successfully against much younger foes. 
The only way to learn those answers was to give him a chance.
On May 18 2002, Kid Katabatic made his season debut a winning one, capturing the $35,000 Spring Sprint. Three weeks later, he easily won the $30,000 Johnny Longden 6000. 
Then September 2, in perhaps his last race in a long and illustrious career, he won the $35,000 S W Randall Plate.
“ I think at his age, going out on a winning note, was a great way for him to end his career. We are quite sure his racing years are over. But rest assured, the final decision on his retirement will come from him.” said Ferguson.
During his career, Kid Katabatic won 17 races and earned $628, 815 in purse money.
HERVE: It was Sunday, October 27, that legendary Hall of Fame drivers Herve Filion, 62 and Keith Waples, 78 arrived at Fraser Downs for a driver’s competition billed as the Masters Challenge.
For those watching via simulcast systems throughout North America, it was a chance to watch Filion, perhaps the greatest driver in standardbred history continue his quest to win 15000 races. No jockey or driver has ever accomplished this feat.
It is a record made more amazing, considering, he had been banished from harness racing with a seven-year suspension for racing improprieties. This is something to which he still admits to no wrongdoing.
“I am so happy to be back driving, I love the sport so much, I would probably do it for free. This is the greatest sport ever and the past is the past, now it is time to enjoy the present.” said Filion.
Once a goodwill ambassador of harness racing, he continues to drive at any track in the name of promoting the sport. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Vancouver Province
E-mail Tommy Wolski at twolski@shaw.ca