Barney McGuigan ‘3:

Alter a trial period of about one year. you might decide to purchase a better quality horse or you might want to try something else that doesn't inyolye horses." Indeed. this \\'as one approach to a career that was successfully tried; hoyyeyer. there were other approaches and methods that might haye worked as well.

Barney was also the catch—driyer of

choice for a number of owners and train— ers and he appreciated the opportunity to driye their horses. A feyy oi those that he droye tor included Don l-‘itxpatrick. _lohn _\lontgomery. Dayid McGuigan. Mary and Bernard Farrell. Millage .\lacl.eod. Neal .\loase. (Ilark Smith. 'l‘reyor llicken. lenny Biggar and many others.

During his apprenticeship many years ago. Barney had the opportunity to \\ork \inh and learn lrom talented and respect— ed mentors like (llark Smith. (Iyril Smith. Harold Stead. yloe Smallyyood. llenry Smalhyood. liarl Smith and Ronnie (iass. He respected all ol‘ them. I asked Barney to name the person he respected most in harness racing, He answered enthusiasti— cally. “As a 1.) year—old. the (Ilark Smith

Behind the Gate

stag

Stable \\as where l really got introduced to horses and people in the industry. (Zlark really taught me a lot about horses and the industry during my formative years. 'l‘hroughout the years Clark and I haye remained close friends. (llark Smith is like a father to me. He knoyys so much about horses — their ailments and possi— ble cures. He would eyen shoe his own horses. He is one of the most talented and respected horsemen by his peers. He is so knowledgeable and patient with horses. He has always worked hard and spent long hours at the track.”

Barney McGuigan‘s goals in harness rac— ing l‘or any year were to remain healthy and accident tree. He hoped that his sta— tistics \yould improye. lle neyer raced outside the Atlantic proyinces :tnd had no desire to moye: ho\yeyer. he inl'ot‘itied. "l might be spending a week in 'l'oronto. It the opportunity presented itsell’. I would appreciate the opportunity to driye at lilamboro l)o\\‘ns or another track in that proyince." l belieyed that Barney would be up to the challenge and \\ould pet> l‘ornt \yell and he did on tyyo subsequent

yisits to I’lamboro l)o\yns.

I’ltt )[t 1: .-\Itlt ,\l.lt’\t'ill

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