(...........CANADIAN and AMERICAN...........LAST RACED) (...USTA ONLY...)
           STARTS 1STS 2NDS 3RDS       MONEY  UDRS    DATE TRACK    STARTS     MONEY
    DRIVER
    2011        0    0    0    0          $0 0.000                    0           $0
    2010       25    5    4    3     $29,432 0.329
    LIFE:         3704            $9,026,085       06-NOV-2010 FLMD
    TRAINER  (CANADIAN ONLY)
    2011        0    0    0    0          $0 0.000
    2010       22    2    4    3     $14,604 0.237 
    LIFE:         2043            $6,755,773       22-JAN-2010 FLMD
       

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How did you become involved in harness racing?

I was born into a harness racing family in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. My father, Donald Rankin, was a harness trainer. At 7 years old, I started jogging horses and cleaning out stalls. When I was 10, I started to do "true" horse training. One day, when I was 14 years old, I got a strange driving opportunity: My brother couldn't make it one day to do a scheduled drive of his at Inverness Raceway...so the trainer asked me to fill in for my brother that day . I jumped on the opportunity and ended up getting my first driving experience...no one ever knew it was me, and not my brother that day! At 16, I received my trainer's license and started training/driving horses as a full-time job at Tartan Downs (in those days it was known as Cape Breton Sports Centre).

Tell us about how your career has evolved since?

At 17, I took a blacksmith course in Zenia, Ohio. Here is the (back and forth) path my career has taken since receiving my blacksmith certificate: 1st, upon my return to Nova Scotia, I returned to racing horses at Sackville Downs. After some years at Sackville, I eventually moved back to Tartan Downs. From there, I moved on to do racing in the USA at Foxboro Raceway, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. After my Foxboro experience, I moved back to Canada, but this time to New Brunswick. After some time spent racing in new Brunswick, I returned home (again) to race in North Sydney. Finally, in 1984, I decided to move to Ontario, where I found my racing home at Flamboro Downs.

What are your views on driving versus training?

I enjoy doing both because I am aware of all the aspects of the horse's condition. Training does give me a bit more of a challenge. Driving the horses which I train gives me the knowledge of the horse's ability and capability.

What is a typical work-day?

I usually wake between 07:00 and 07:30. Then I jog, train, and groom 20 horses. I shoe one or two in the afternoon. I race at Flamboro for the afternoon cards. I return home to feed the horses and usually finish by 20:00.

How do you attract new owners to your stable?

Currently I have very good owners with whom I have been able to establish concrete relationships. It is extremely important to be honest. I also inform my owners in advance about all expected costs.

What do you do to break in a new owner?

I teach them the overall business including classes and purses etc. I explain the overall routine on the operation of a stable. I listen to their concerns and expectations. I emphasize that there are always ups and downs in the business.

In what type of horse do you specialize?

I enjoy horses that offer a challenge. Because of my blacksmith ability, I can usually help horses with bad feet. I prefer Flamboro Downs circuit horses.

What steps have you taken to achieve your goals?

I left home at 17 and moved to Zenia, Ohio where I took a blacksmith course. I have raced at different tracks including Sydney, New Brunswick, Foxboro and Truro. I learned from my father and siblings about the racing industry. I moved to Ontario in 1984 and established a career at Flamboro Downs.

What are your career highlights/milestones?

• Winning 7 races on one card; 6 were trained by me and 6 took lifetime marks.
• Winning the Breeders Crown with Line One
• Winning 260 races in one year where I trained 240 of them
• Driver and Trainer of-the-year at Flamboro Downs for 11 years in a row
• Owned, trained and drove the aged trotting mare Keystone Hildene at Flamboro

What are your thoughts on where the industry is heading with the new gaming opportunities at all Ontario tracks?

The industry is on an upwards growth slope. The slots money has resulted in an increase in purses. There is more money circulating for investing in horses.

Any final thoughts?

New owners are always welcome to discuss the harness racing business with me.

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