Each week, a familiar name in the sport will be in the spotlight, answering some fun, offbeat questions, giving readers a unique perspective into their personality.
Ontario native Blair Burgess has won just about every major stakes race in the sport on both gaits — two Hambletonians, a trotting Triple Crown, a North America Cup, Little Brown Jug and two Meadowlands Paces, to name just a few. He is also one of the most articulate, thought-provoking horsemen in the game.
by Dave Briggs
1. Who is the greatest athlete that ever lived and why?
“All stupid Canadians say Gretzky… If pressed I'll stay cliché — Muhammad Ali. He just died so we had lots of opportunity to reminisce. I shed a couple tears on (Stephen) Brunt’s radio eulogy. Ali dominated his game against superior competition. And he transcended his game because he had the nerve to take a stand. Sometimes that can be about timing, but he took it on even if unpopular. Jordan or Gretzky never took a chance. I think Ali was magnanimous in his charity and also eloquent despite humble beginnings. A very unusual package. Flawed, too. But the great things about him transcended all else… They took away the prime of his career, also.”
2. In your personal hell, what song is Satan playing on repeat?
“Any of Justin Bieber’s latest stuff. Even if I could stand a couple of his early things, the crap now all sounds the same. We switched to a classical music station in the barn basically because of him, or maybe just the pathetic state of pop music today — Katy Perry et al. My daughter who keeps track of such things doesn't even understand the definition of "new". It's all six months old or more. She played me Beyoncé s new album the other day off the iPod and it's pretty good. But not one of those songs is on the radio. Is she passé? ... Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, etc. are so amazing.”
3. What is the greatest life lesson you've learned from working with horses?
“The horse business is not for the faint of heart. There are daily life lessons, and if you don't do your homework, the lessons hit you harder and you can't catch up. Kind of like math class. You just can't fake it. Also the simple one is: Don't get too up for the wins because there is a loss around the corner that will bring you back to reality. Lot more of those coming my way lately.”
4. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
“My farm on a sweet-smelling spring or fall evening. Tied for close second is any panorama from a peak in the Rockies, a beach in Mexico looking out over the Pacific at sunset, or cumulatively all the wonderful cathedrals of Europe.”
5. What is your Kryptonite?
“Whether it’s financial, clientele, or even friends and acquaintances, it’s communication. I just unfortunately try too hard to avoid the “stop and chat” whether it's face to face or on the phone. That’s probably a bad enemy for a horse trainer.”
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