“The horse that changed my life would have to be Circle of Time.
He was a chestnut gelding trained by Ron Grieves and was my first lifetime win as a jockey. My first race as a jockey wasn't a good one - I fell off at the quarter-pole and broke my arm. I was devastated. Around that time, Circle, aka, "Wircle," got sick. Wwe called him Wircle because he had a wart on his nose! We were both out for two months. Well, he could train a bit, but he did not race for two months while I was out.
When I came back, he was the first horse I rode since my accident. He was a very kind horse and Ron wanted a nice, easy one for me to get some confidence back. I rode him every day after that and did all his works. I didn't know at the time that Ron had planned on me riding him. The day finally came on Sept 22, 2012 and I saw my name in the entries to ride Wircle. I was so happy and so nervous! It was very hard to overcome my first failed attempt at being a jockey, but I was happy I got to ride a horse that I knew and trusted.
I'll never forget that day we broke from the gate and he just carried me around there. When we hit the quarter-pole and I asked him for more, he just flew down the lane. I could hear a roar from the crowd and after I crossed the wire I was so happy…‘I did it! I stayed on and finished the race and I won!’ We broke our maidens together in a saddle I bought off (fellow jockey) Omar Moreno, who told me that three different Jockeys had rode in the saddle and all three had won when they rode in it. The saddle had never lost a race yet and he told me to keep it going. So I was the fourth jockey to ride in it and I won. It was a very special day as it should be for any jockey who wins their first lifetime race.
I achieved my goal in becoming a jockey and Wircle helped me achieve that. He took care of me and gave me the confidence I needed to keep going.
I never saw Wircle outside of the racetrack. But I will always think of him. He was such a kind lovable horse, anyone could ride him. He always wanted to please you and do everything you asked of him. I won two races with Circle of Time in 2012. I then started at Woodbine Racetrack and decided to stay there for the following year. Ron told me Wircle never did win another race after me.
He eventually got sold and was in an accident and passed away. I was so upset Ron called me himself to tell me the news. May he Rest in Peace. He will forever be in my heart. I will never forget him. He helped me start my career and made me feel like I could really do this. His pictures will be on my wall forever and I will always cherish the memories I have with him.
When I think of Circle of Time, I remember how gentle and kind he was when I first got on his back after my accident. I was nervous getting back on a horse after two months off, and after falling off in my first race, my pride was wounded. He took care of me, every day after that and in my first race back. I regained my confidence from him. He gave me that. After our first win, I felt like, ‘Okay, I can do this!’
He helped me in a way a person cannot. These animals, they heal your soul, they inspire you, they can make you fly! I appreciate everything Wircle did for me, and all the horses now that continue to give me what he did. They are all special and they will all teach you something.
Never stop learning and enjoy every day you have with them.”
By Sheena Ryan, for Ontario Horse Racing
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