(PHOTO - FASTER THAN U won his maiden on August 7 at Ajax Downs, the first win this year for his relatively new QH racehorse owner Luc Menard - New Image Media photo)
On raceday, Quarter Horse owner Luc Menard packs up his horse into his van and drives some 4 ½ hours from his home near Ottawa to Ajax Downs, not far from the top of Toronto. It’s a long trip there and back to be sure but Menard would not have it any other way since Faster Than U, his travelling buddy, is the horse who has changed his life.
“He’s the best racehorse I have had,” said Menard who also exercises his horses and has been involved in virtually every equine sport you can name. “He’s only raced three times this year but he qualified for the OSS Derby and then was fourth in the final.”
Menard, who also doubles as a pony rider at Ajax Downs race days got Faster Than U from longtime friends Bill and Lynn Farrell. “I knew Bill 30 years ago in barrel racing. I bought Faster Than U as a yearling out of their field.”
A son of the Farrell’s stallion Dash to the Arctic, Faster Than U had a bit of annoying habit as a young horse, stepping on Menard’s toes as he learned his lessons. The 3-year-old has grown out of it a bit this year as he has set his mind on racing.
Following his third-place finisher in a trial for the OSS Derby in his season debut Faster than U was fourth in the final and then won an $11,500 maiden race on August 7 under a hand ride by Cassandra Jeschke.
“He’s maturing this year and starting to look like a good horse,” said Menard. “He’s always been a bit gangly but he’s full of energy.”
Faster Than U is trained by Menard’s friend Gerry Horton and is the fourth that Menard has raced.
“I have his three-quarter sister coming up soon too, she’s ready to go.”
Both Faster Than U and his sibling are expected to race in the next week or so and since Menard is one of the more popular and hard-working people at the track, he surely will have lots of friends cheering on his favourite horse.
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