BC Racebook Newsletter - October 12, 2023
Fan Appreciation Week - Closing week at Hastings Racecourse
“It seems like a fairy tale” - Bill & Noi DeCoursey. (Photo Michael Bye)
INFINITE PATIENCE BREEDER & PART OWNER
REFERS TO HIS JOURNEY AS A ‘FAIRY TALE’
by Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
The outpouring of tears and hugs and handshakes might have been conveying a message but for now, nobody’s commenting.
When six-year-old beauty Infinite Patience strutted into the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes winner’s circle at Hastings Racecourse on Saturday, October 7, it was her 13th consecutive victory in stakes competition.
“Before the race we were on pins and needles,” breeder and part-owner Bill DeCoursey would say later. “Would it be a Lucky 13 stakes win in a row or would fate get us on our 13th try?”
Infinite Patience answered the question with an impressive two-and-a-half length victory under regular rider Antonio Reyes.
“When she cleared the quarter-pole I sensed we were okay, “DeCoursey said. “I have to admit, I was sweating and pacing and heaving inside. My wife Noi broke into tears. We arrived home and watched the race another seven or eight times. Noi was still shaking in the morning.”
Veteran trainer Barbara Heads became so emotional in the aftermath she had to cut short the traditional victory interview with BC Racebook analyst Bailey Williams.
The reactions from the euphoric winning connections immediately created the feeling it might have been the final curtain in a Hall of Fame career that resulted in 19 victories in 25 starts.
“Infinite Patience came out of the Ballerina stiff but okay,” DeCoursey said, choosing his words carefully. “We must give her and Barb a bit of time to assess the future.”
DeCoursey’s partner is Edmonton Oilers stalwart Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Burnaby-born NHL star who offered to buy a half-interest in Infinite Patience after watching her win her first race as a two-year-old.
“The years have gone by so quickly it all seems like a fairy tale,” DeCoursey says. “ We’re hoping our success encourages other small owners to realize it is possible to compete against the industry’s bigger outfits.”
Infinite Patience dominated the Thoroughbred Awards Dinner in 2022 with accolades that included Open Horse of the Year, BC Bred Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Filly/Mare in both the BC Bred and Open Divisions.
The Ballerina Stakes 2023 Winner - Infinite Patience ridden by Antonio Reyes. (Photo Michael Bye)
What’s next? All we can do at this point is stay tuned.
The 2023 live thoroughbred racing season winds down at Hastings Racecourse this coming weekend with the final two Stakes of the year going Sunday: the $75,000 Glen Todd Fantasy for 2-year-old fillies and the $75,000 Glen Todd Ascot for 2-year-old colts & geldings. Start times for both Saturday and Sunday are 2 p.m.
Jockey Christoper Mamdeen riding Miss The Hype - winning the race. (Photo Michael Bye)
BAILEY ON THE BACKSTRETCH
by Bailey Williams
As the leaves and season change, so does the luck of the Maybin barn at Hastings Racecourse. Trainer Rob Maybin and his wife Sheena own and race a smaller stable of competitive horses among what they refer to as “a real team effort”.
Last year’s leading owners currently have their eyes on top spot again in what appears could come down to the final day of racing on Sunday, Oct.15 as the Maybins pursue Willow Creek Farms and the Dairen Edwards family that won the title in 2021.
The Maybin barn has been hot lately with five winners since Sept. 30 and has only saddled eight races over that span which adds to the magnificence of its late fall campaign.
The recent success is made all the sweeter when you factor in the loyalty of the whole crew, particularly involving Rob and jockey Chris Mamdeen. Chris is wrapping up his first season at Hastings with an abundance of gratitude to the people that helped him get started in Canada. He has spent long hours galloping and helping in any way possible in the barn each day.
Mamdeen has formed a bond with horses as well as the crew and was rewarded with his first riding hat-trick all aboard Maybin-owned horses on Sept. 30.
It is said that happy horses win races. When the people working with them feel appreciated, the positive energy can be found throughout the barn atmosphere and the results reflect that feeling.
