Robert Shepherd is from Prince Edward Island, made his name in Ontario, but the horse that changed his life arrived 12 years ago in Alberta.
In August of 2004, Shepherd was driving at Stampede Park in Calgary when he found himself paired with a three-year-old son of His Mattjesty colt out of Corsie Cannie named The Bruster. The pair won three of their first four stars together before owner/trainer Joseph McCormac opted to drop The Bruster into Calgary’s biggest stakes race, the Nat Christie.
On Aug. 29 in the $120,000 final, the 24-year-old Shepherd pulled three wide from seventh at the three-quarter pole and powered to a two-length victory in 1:55.1.
“When I won the Nat Christie it changed my life in driving,” Shepherd said. “I’d have to say The Bruster started it all.”
Shepherd ended the year with earnings just shy of $200,000 — about $140,000 more than his previous best year — and he was on his way.
Two years later, he landed in Ontario where he’s made his career. Today, the 36-year-old has nearly 2,700 wins and a little more than $19 million to his credit in the sulky.
But it all started for the Ontario-based Maritimer in Alberta with The Bruster.
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