By: Chris Lomon
Alex Brouwer knows there are no guarantees on the road to Canada’s most famous horse race. But it is, admittedly, difficult to rein in your enthusiasm when you have two major reasons to dream big.
The 158
th edition of the Queen’s Plate, the longest continually run race in North America, is scheduled for July 2 at Woodbine Racetrack.
The very thought of having a horse in the $1 million event is difficult for the 21-year-old Brouwer to put into words.
But there is an unmistakable tone of excitement in his voice, a genuine elation that is abundantly clear, even over the phone, when he speaks of the two horses he co-owns that are nominated to the Plate.
“If you’ve heard of horse racing, you’ve heard of the Queen’s Plate,” said Brouwer. “But to see it from this point of view is amazing. To be honest, I’m getting antsy about it now.”
His hopes rest on the hooves of Hold’emforransom (75-1 in the Queen's Plate Winterbook), an unraced son of Regal Ransom bred by his girlfriend Karly Kemp, daughter of longtime thoroughbred owner and breeders Steve and Kathleen Kemp (Ballycroy Training Centre), along with Bad Choices (50-1 in the Winterbook), a son of Uncle Mo who is also unraced.
Photo by Karly Kemp.
That he is even in a position to have a horse possibly contest the Plate is still somewhat unfathomable to Brouwer, who went from casual fan to full-fledged owner faster than a five-furlong sprint.
“When I first started hanging out with Karly and seeing her, I had some free time – I’m a farmer myself – and I didn’t have a whole lot going on at that particular point, so I started to help out at Ballycroy,” he recalled. “I wasn’t volunteering, but just spending some time there to learn about the horses and the industry. I went from wanting to learn and being curious about it, to wanting to be involved in the sport.”
From answering every question he had, to introducing him to horsepeople at Woodbine, Brouwer found the ideal mentors in the Kemps.
“Steve never tried to push me towards ownership,” he said. “Once he realized I was serious about taking a stake in the industry, he gave me a wealth of information, experience and guidance.”
Trips to the Toronto oval soon became more frequent for Brouwer. And each time he went, his connection to the sport grew stronger.
“It’s such a unique industry and the horses are unique themselves,” said Brouwer. “I really enjoyed it right from the beginning and through getting to know Steve and Kathleen, they were able to show me the ropes even before I had any interest in owning horses or actually owning them.
Photo by Karly Kemp.
“They’ve guided me through every single part of this. They’ve taken me to the backstretch so that I can see what goes on there. That’s how I took a lot of interest in it because I enjoy learning and they provided me with all the tools I needed to learn more about this great sport. It’s opened up a lot of opportunities for me.”
Opportunities that include co-ownership in three horses, the other being Slewsridingshotgun, a dark bay son of Philanthropist bred by Ballycroy.
While Brouwer hasn’t made the walk to the winner’s circle yet, he looks at that very spot whenever he’s at Woodbine, imagining the thought of celebrating a milestone moment.
“I try to be (calm) when I’m watching the races,” he said. “I try to stay nice and calm on the outside, but on the inside, I’m shaking like a leaf. “It’s just like any other sport in that it’s a real bonding experience. When you’re there, you can’t help but hope to see that day when your horse wins. It’s a cool feeling when you know that there are so many other people there hoping for the same thing.”
Photo by Mr. Will Wong.
Brouwer is hoping more people his age will get involved in racing.
“What makes it exciting is that it’s an industry that you can put a lot of time, effort and heart into and get a lot out of,” he said. “You can spend time with your horses, see them develop and watch them compete. That’s a big thrill, in seeing something you’ve spent so much time with give their all. And if they happen to win, that’s about the greatest feeling you can have.
“It’s a growing industry. It’s an industry - for someone that belongs to my generation – where if you are willing to work hard and want to be a hands-on person – this is something that is amazing to be in.”
Brouwer would certainly know.
On this day, he and Steve are headed to Ocala, Florida to check in on their Plate-nominated horses.
Photo by Karly Kemp.
“You see how much it (having a possible Plate starter) means to someone like Steve and Kathleen – two people who have been in the sport for a long time – and it rubs off on you,” said Brouwer. “They are passionate about the sport and they want to help the next generation get involved.”
Brouwer is certainly glad he did.
“Racing isn't the only part of this industry that has me interested in thoroughbreds,” he offered. “The racing does have the thrill and the publicity, but there are so many other parts with the potential for growth and for new players of the game to join. The options to make a living out of this industry are exponential.
“The breeding, boarding, pinhooking horses at sales, owning stallions, buying mares – all of these grabbed my attention just as much as the racing. It can be a sport, a business and a hobby all at the same time. Trying to focus on what section to start out with is the real challenge. Learning what it takes to create a successful racehorse, the effort, the studying and the risk is the true draw in for me. It’s exciting to be part of.”
Especially when you happen to have a lot on your Plate.
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