Behind the Gate “‘33 ‘fi sport where accidents are quite frequent. He said. "Racing has been really good to me. i can‘t think of a really bad experi— ence that I have had in the game." In 200“. Gilles learned that he had Type 2 diabetes: however. he continued to lead the nation with amazing driying statistics.

In 2008. the Gilles Barrieau Stable was operating out of Saint _lohn Exhibition l’ark, Gilles had high hopes for three tal— ented three—year—olds — lob/us Paradise. I’lea Baigam and Acce/era/ec/ Force. He also had a nttmber of freshman colts and fillies that he was preparing for stakes action in 2008.

One trend that this dedicated horseman didn‘t like was the lack of younger peo— ple getting inyolyed in the industry. Gilles explained. “(Iheck out any track at any time and see who is doing the work. You would find a Very small percentage in their teenage years. It‘s not an easy

life. You really liaye to loye horses. For

a kid starting out. there is no money for

them.“ Is it possible to initiate a program to interest the youth? (Iould the industry. goyernment. schools and public come up

with a positiye. innoyatiye and educa—

tional program to attract young people of

both sexes to harness racing? Perhaps

(Iare and Management of the

Standardbred” could someday soon become an electiye credit in Atlantic high

schools if educators and politicians agree.

for years. Gilles stable at Saint Alohn

Gilles Barrieau

included 12 to 1‘" horses. Some of his workers oyer the years included Gordon Ford. Keyin Fitzgerald and Mike Morris. Before Venturing out on his own. Gilles worked for his uncle Marcel Barrieau for seyen years followed by two years each Paul Belco Stable.

with the Daeres Stable and the

There were a lot of people in harness racing that this knowledgeable horseman respected but .\¥Iarcel Barrieau was the person he respected the most. He explained. "Marcel is an all around horse— man. He understands all facets of the industry. He taught me a lot about shoe— ing and eyerything important that he thought I should know. Probably eyery— thing I know today about horses comes

from him. He is a great worker himself."

Gilles had some obseryations on his dual role as trainer and driyer. He informed. “(,Zei‘tainly. I like to be out there driying bttt as far as training my own stable goes. there is a lot of work to be done during the week. There is a lot of preparation especially for the stakes. I prefer driying btit I will always want to keep a stable in the future e\ en if I do some catch—driying whereyer i may go. Ifl had to do one to the exclusion of the other. it would prob-

ably be driying but I loye training also."

Gilles‘ wife. Kelly was a school teacher who loyed harness racing and what he did for a li\‘ing. She loyed horses as did

daughter. Deyan.

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