Lowell Stead i?

three—year—old in Atlantic Sires Stake races. he had a number of close encoun~ ters at the wire with I’I'nen'a_v (Xac/el. a line colt owned by Desi Rice and driven by Vince Poulton. L'nfortunately. 'lrooper broke a leg during a race and this prematurely ended a promising career. Stead [)on'neasr ’l‘rooper. his favorite horse.

Lowell would never forget

Like all horse owners. this Montaguite had hills at the end of each month, Included were payments to the trainer. the veterinarian, the blacksmith. stakes. transportation and other necessities. An owner needs an adequate disposable income to meet these commitments and it certainly is a bonus when a horse is able to pay its way.

Lowell and Sandra. a retired school teacher. made many friends through this industry over the years. They enioyed meeting people at various tracks and often these meetings developed into last— ing friendships. They really enjoyed the horses. especially when one ol‘ their own was racing or even training a slow mile. Lowell did not get too high or too low because in this business he knew it could

go either way.

One memorable race for Lowell occurred in an Atlantic Sires Stake race for three— year~old colts at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Doze/least ’l'rooper came within a whisker but was denied victory by .v/gm [Inn/er.

76

Behind the Gate

Another moment that Lowell wouldn't forget was when Albert Bernard guided Stern Warning to victory in the finals of a series {or three—year—(>lds. It was moments like these that seemed to make it all worthwhile. Perhaps this is why Lowell stated that he would encourage even a best friend to buy a horse.

Sandra also had a real interest and affec- tion for horses. Without this shared inter- est. Lowell would not have been as involved or even involved at all. His late parents also enjoyed and attended the races frequently with them. Sandra paid particular attention to her own Island .S'lqt'e as she progressed under the capable tutelage of Albert Bernard.

A number of years ago. Lowell and .lames Roach MacGregor purchasedjoey Digger as a hopeful entry for the prestigious (Eold (Iup and Saucer race at the (2.1).1’.

joey Digger didn't have a lot of success

racing for this Island connection. joey Digger entered the very competitive field of sires in the Maritime breeding industry. He wasn't overwhelmed with bookings from owners of mares looking for that potential Island Storm or .111'ss Hannngo

Too.

Lowell and Sandra Stead had a Saturday alternoon in the fall of 200* that they would not forget. ’l'hree horses. Justin lv’o/2/n'e. How/mere It’oc/ee/le and jaguar Roya/ .\'. owned by the couple from Montague. got their pictures taken in the