Garry MacDonald

For Garry MacDonald. harness racing was a way of life. He remembered. “In our house. my l‘amily would gather alter the races and they would thrash eyery dash. one by one. belore we went to bed." Garry couldn't remember when horse racing wasn‘t an integral part of his yery existence. He wouldn't haye it any other way. He was taught that soundness. breathing properly and shoeing were essential for a horse to perform properly. He stated. "it~ a horse is sound. breathing properly. and carelully shod. he will go where he can go."

.\Iost horsemen experience misfortune to some degree at some time during their careers. Garry had his share of bad acci— dents on the track; he lost a horse due to a knot in the bowel; he experienced set—

backs that were. unlortunately. part of

the game. He experienced eyery horse- man's nightmare. The (‘rold (Iup and Saucer celebrations were just ending when word reached Charlottetown ol a tragic lire at 'l'ruro Raceway. Among the casualties were the ol (iarry‘s horses including S/oHer/ggs lz'I/m/mn. l-‘ou/r’s/J Mar/e and a lilly who was a sister to the trotter Yong/J Rea/Ur. A week belore the tire. Garry had transported a dozen ol‘ his horses l‘ront 'l'ruro to the (I.l).P. lor Old Home \V’eek. ’l'hat tire was his worst experience in harness racing and it was with reluctance that he spoke about it. ()arry i\lacl)onald. l)a\'e Carey and others perseyered through that darkest hour. Lil‘e sometimes tests one's mettle. It is at times like this that Garry's adyice to a

108

Behind the Gate

youngster entering the gane is really meaningl‘ul. “ll you do a littl‘ bit ol‘ good in this industry. don't let yiur head get

too big."

Garry operated a public stal ie out of the C.l).l’.. 'l‘ruro Raceway. Sackrille Downs. Windsor and lilamboro Downs. He was quick to giye credit and prtise to Lynn Priyett. trainer of his stabe. He said. "Lynn has done a pile of work. In fact. she has done most of the rmning of the stable." He elaborated that ‘ie has been liortunate to haye had \‘ery czpable work ers with him. 'l'hey includec Miles Ford. Robbie Smith. (‘yarry l’oulton. \r’ince l’oulton. l)a\‘e Younker. Len Myers. Carrie l’riyett. :\]ark .\laclionald. \X’Ves Lund. lamie Smith and a few others.

(iarry increased his knowledge and experience by working in talented horsemen like \V'alter Craig. Randall .\lacl)oi‘tald. l’rancis .\lcls;.;lc 11nd llent‘y Smallwood. lle belieyed ttzt‘ thlyice and opportunities l‘rom pecnle like loe llennessey. .lames .\lac(]'egor. Emmett Bernard. and Dougie \\'al»h contributed significantly to any succes~ he may haye had in the industry oyer tl e years.

Garry .\lacl)onald's entirr: lamily was always behind him in harnvss racing. lie was helped and assisted li>m his grand— lather right through to his lids. His wife.

Janet and his daughters. Lo'ie. 'l'amie and

(Iarrie and grandson ’l‘ysoi were in the \\"inners‘ (Iircle ol‘ten with ‘yarry. Garry‘s parents. Kay and Lloyd wih Aunt Alma.