A true champion returns to Hastings Racecourse, but not to race

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Wise Market will be the most accomplished horse on the track at Hastings Racecourse this weekend.

The 9-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding is a nine-time winner with $273,457 in earnings. A large part of his earnings came as a 2-year-old with victories in the $100,000 Jack Diamond Futurity and $100,000 Ascot Graduation. He was a stakes winner as a 3-year-old and he had a productive season in 2023, compiling a solid 3-2-1 record from 8 starts. Overall he had 57 starts, and finished in the top three 27 times.

Wise Market will not be racing this weekend, however. Instead, he will be leading the post parade as the pony for lead outrider Cindy Barroby. Wise Market is not the first horse Barroby has converted into a pony at Hastings. He might be the best, though.

“He’s perfect,” said Barroby. “Some horses can’t make the adjustment. Wise Market has the right temperament, is smart and stays calm under pressure.”

Barroby was looking for a new pony at the end of last year and she knew Wise Market was going to be retired by trainer Mark Cloutier. As well as being the lead outrider during the races, Barroby is the outrider in the morning where she keeps a close eye out for any problems that might arise during training hours. The most important part of her job is to catch a horse that dropped its rider and is running loose on the track.

“Obviously I see a lot of horses in the morning and Wise Market acted like a horse that could handle the transition,” she said. “They have to be fast, and he might be the fastest I’ve had. They also have to be able to close it down after going all out to catch a loose horse.”

The transition doesn’t happen overnight. According to Barroby Wise Market was a quick learner.

“I start with them at the farm and when I bring them to Hastings I usually take them onto the track for about 10 minutes a day for a few weeks. It’s easier for a horse like Wise Market who was a race horse,” said Barroby. “Half the battle is getting them used to the chaos. On race days, Wise Market will work the first hour in the morning and get a nice break before the races start.”

Barroby, who was a jockey in the early 1990s, has been an outrider at Hastings for “about 14” years. She shared the duties with her husband Darcy Barroby, who stepped down three years ago due to having a mild stroke.

“He’s doing well, but he just isn’t confident enough to come back right now,” said Cindy

No need for Darcy to rush coming back as Cindy has the job well in hand.

Wise Market will be working Saturday morning and can be seen when the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Agency holds a Breakfast with Horses event. There will be B.C. Racebook giveaways, including a chance at a $50 voucher. Willow Creek Farms is providing key rings and a hoodie to raffle off. Families are welcome. It begins at 7:30 at the patio by the winner’s enclosure. Free coffee and pastries will be provided.

FRIDAY SELECTIONS: First race 7 p.m.

RACE 3: CURLIN ROCKS found allowance company beyond his reach and fits better in this $16K claimer for non-winners of three. His pedigree suggests he shouldn’t have any trouble handling a middle distance and blinkers off a speed horse can be a good thing.

RACE 4: NUMAANY’S CANDY raced greenly in her debut but showed some potential with a decent finish. The B.C.-bred daughter of Numaany came back with a sharp work and could take a big step forward with the blinkers going on for trainer Nicole Rycroft.

RACE 5: February was the runner-up to several stakes winner Lizzie’s Rayne in her only start as a 2-year-old and has been working nicely leading up to her return for white-hot trainer Dino Condilenios, who won four races last Saturday.

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