Hoss Talk

A feel-good horse story
The Vancouver Province
Column: Hoss Talk
Source: The Province

Henry and Mary Miller have been involved with horse racing since 1981. Henry, now retired from training, still keeps a presence at Hastings Park.

Since beginning their small stable, all their race horses have come from foals by Sales Girl, whom they own with partners.

Of all the horses they have owned, Mrs. Miller's favourite always has been El Nino Mi Amor. Under the care of their son Henry Miller Jr., the horse won more than $50,000.

"I loved him since the day he was born," said Mrs. Miller. "There wasn't a day I didn't go by his barn and bring him carrots and treats. He was my baby."

In November 2002, Mrs. Miller's dream nearly came to an end when El Nino Mi Amor was claimed by another trainer.

"When I saw them hang a red tag on his bridle after his race, I cried," she said.

During the next two years, Mrs. Miller would watch every race the horse ran.

Then, this July, trainer Juan Lara claimed El Nino Mi Amor for $7000. "After I claimed him, Mrs. Miller came to my barn and asked if she could give the horse some treats and carrots," said Lara. "You could see how much love she had for this horse."

After a few weeks went by, Lara began to notice some swelling in one of El Nino Mi Amor's ankles and decides not to race the horse again.

Lara then had an idea: He decided to have a meeting with Henry Miller Sr. to ask him if his wife would like to have El Nino Mi Amor back. "I give it to you for free," Lara said.

Overjoyed and in shock, Miller Sr. told his wife the news.

"'Mary, stand up and look at me,'" Miller Sr. said to his wife. "'Juan wants you to have your horse back.' She asks, 'How much?'

"And when I told Mary that he wants no money and is giving the horse as a gift, tears begin rolling down her face. She was so happy. It was unbelievable."

Tom Wolski can be seen on the Sport of Kings, Saturdays at 11 a.m. Citytv

Edition: Final