(PHOTO - CANADIAN CHAMPION at the AQHA Awards on Jan. 18 was Alberta-bred POUTN ON THE WAGON, an undefeated 2-year-old of 2016)
Hall of Fame Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse trainer
D. Wayne Lukas gave a passionate speech about horse racing, how to be successful in the sport and some of his favourite memories when he spoke at the 2016 AQHA Racing Awards on Jan. 18 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City, OK.
"Learn from everybody," Lukas told a young trainer at the Awards ceremony. "Rub up against the best possible horsemen you know..get the best possible work ethic and try to make a difference every day and improve yourself."
Lukas emphasized that interacting with horse racing fans is also important. He relayed a story from a recent meeting with a 22-year-old man at the Kentucky Derby who said that Lukas took him into the winner's circle after one of the trainer's wins when the fan was just 9-years-old. Lukas often plucks youngsters from the crowd as he makes his way to the winner's circle to get their picture taken with the winning horse and later, he provides them with the official photo.
"People might not remember a lot of what you say but they never, ever, erer forget how you make them feel."
The awards recognized the top Quarter Horses throughout North America from last season. There were plenty of Ontario horsepeople in the crowd as seven Ontario-breds were on the ballot for Canadian Champion. It was the undefeated
Poutn on the Wagon, an Alberta-bred, that got the nod by the AQHA based on his six-for-six campaign as a 2-year-old in 2016 for owner and breeder Pete Schoeler.
The
Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale begins today and runs to Jan. 21 and many Ontario owners and trainers will be in town to go shopping.
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