- Story by Lauren Kramer Photography by Don Denton

When SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Sandown horse racing track closed down in 1992, Nicky Wylie felt the loss acutely. The British-born breeder of thoroughbred horses in North Saanich was one of many who enjoyed the magic and excitement of racing horses, and the closure of the track signalled the sharp decline of the sport she loved.

Determined to revive horse racing on Vancouver Island, Nicky and her spouse, Norman, recently created the Sandown Racing Club, which allows members to own part of a racehorse. The club has three horses which will race between May and October at the Hastings Racing Track, located at the PNE grounds in Vancouver. The club has 85 members so far.

Membership comes at $250 per year and for that, says Nicky, B次元官网网址測ou get to say you own part of a horse, you get an ownerB次元官网网址檚 license, you get to go in the back stretch of the race track and into the winnerB次元官网网址檚 circle if your horse wins!B次元官网网址�

Not all members are knowledgeable about horses and racing, so Nicky is taking it upon herself to educate them about the terminology in weekly emails, where she introduces them to the horses, the art of racing and the many resources on the internet.

B次元官网网址淩acing is the most exciting thing IB次元官网网址檝e ever done,B次元官网网址� she admits. B次元官网网址淚t gives the people involved the chance to dream, and there arenB次元官网网址檛 a lot of dreams in life that are like that.B次元官网网址�

Nicky trained and raced horses in Britain before moving to Vancouver Island at the age of 22 with Norman. She promised herself sheB次元官网网址檇 take a six-month break from horses when she arrived, but within three days of stepping off the plane she was riding again, exercising horses for clients, and later, training them.

The trouble with horses, she says, smiling, is that they get under your skin. B次元官网网址淲hen that happens, you canB次元官网网址檛 let them go B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a passion and an addiction.B次元官网网址�

The couple rented an historic old house on 10 acres in North Saanich and began training, stabling and racing thoroughbred horses at White House Stables. When they started a family, she stopped racing and focussed on breeding instead.

B次元官网网址淭o breed a horse of value you need a good pedigree, a great, athletic physical appearance and good athletic confirmation, such as a family history of being a stakes winner,B次元官网网址� she explains.

Her first mare, Mascaretta, is now retired but birthed 11 foals since moving to White House Stables. Those foals have sold for anywhere from $4,000 up to $102,000.

B次元官网网址淔or the folks who bought those foals and raced them, their total earnings are close to $1 million,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e bred over 100 foals here at White Stables, and 50 thoroughbreds in more recent years.B次元官网网址�

The foals are sold at 18 months and NickyB次元官网网址檚 are in particular demand.

B次元官网网址淣inety-five per cent of our foals have won a race; itB次元官网网址檚 a great statistic and one IB次元官网网址檓 really proud of,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淲e have a reputation that when you buy one of our horses, thereB次元官网网址檚 a pretty good chance it will win a race.B次元官网网址�

It sounds easy, but breeding horses is hard work, and Nicky and Norman do most of the heavy lifting. They have an alarm to notify them when a horse is in labour, and when that happens the couple is up for as long as it takes to ensure the delivery goes smoothly.

B次元官网网址淲atching a foal being born is just magical,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 nothing like seeing it come out, stand up and take its first drink.B次元官网网址�

The couple has trained around 200 horses at the stables over the years. One of their favourites was Blackberry Ben, a horse who loved eating blackberries, but also loved the Wylies.

B次元官网网址淗e was intelligent and competitive,B次元官网网址� Nicky recalls. B次元官网网址淎nd he ran so well for us! When he was claimed, he didnB次元官网网址檛 run well for his new owners. But when we claimed him back a year later he ran well for us again!B次元官网网址�

Now sold, Blackberry Ben is living a happy life and enjoying a successful career. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the ultimate reward for a horse breeder, Nicky says.

B次元官网网址淚t can be heartbreaking to sell a horse and find out itB次元官网网址檚 not in a good home, or that itB次元官网网址檚 starving. There are lots of versions of hell for horses.B次元官网网址�

As membership at the Sandown Racing Club gradually increases, the Wylies are looking forward to recouping some of the magic of racing.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted to re-energize something that had been lost when the race track closed,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏efore then, a big community was involved and we want to get that back.B次元官网网址�

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