that Stanley gave to me because he was lame. DOC Price was one of the early horses that I remember well. He was a free for-all horse at that time. It was prob— ably that association with free—for—allers that led to my continued long term asso- ciation with free—for—all horses during the last 50 years. This horse of George Sobey‘s certainly made a big impression on me."

During his formative years in the game, this eager youngster had a number of qualified and capable teachers at the track in Summerside. He learned well from mentors like Lester Chappell, George Sobey, Ron MacArthur, Basil Whelan, George Callbeck, Dr. Russ Furness and others. He learned about shoeing from Basil Whelan and for a long time he would do all of his own shoeing.

As a youngster, Ian admired a number of horsemen. He explained, “I learned most of my early stuff from George Sobey. In the ensuing years, it would be Ron MacArthur and Dr. Russ Furness. I spent the most time with George Sobey and he let me do a lot of things. His Doc Price was one of the first horses I ever jogged but only after learning how to muck stalls, brush, bandage, feed and other important functions required by horses at the track.” Ian went to the United States while working for Ron MacArthur with sensational two—year-old trotter. Si’dca Hanover. Ian was 14 and earned $33 a week to look after her. While there he spent these months in Cecil Champion’s

20

Behind the Gate

barn and learned a lot there. Dr. Russ Furness also had an early and lasting influence on this youngsters career. During his early sojourn to the United States. he encountered Summerside resi— dents Dale Sobey and Ken Crockett who were both working on the Grand Circuit for Joe O‘Brien.

In 1971, this future veterinarian was attending the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. That summer he had worked for Hughie MacKay who had 15 yearlings and one race mare, Mama Girl. Hughie was considered one of the best colt men in the business at that time. Fourteen qualified that year. While in Truro that summer, Ian bought Wingaz’i‘ Dude from Basil Whelan for $225. He was a dude but Ian got him to the races and he could pace in 2:17. Ian had his first official drive with this horse and he recounted, “I had my first drive with him at the Truro Raceway and I finished fifth in 2:17. I remember] had a special head— pole on him because he was hard to steer. I raced him again and finished fifth in 2:16. I then sold him to Scotty Kane — horse and harness for $275.”

Later that summer Ian returned home to Summerside. One night Bill Companion Sr. had two horses entered in the same race at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Bill would drive jolly Don from the rail and Ian would team Mar/e Purdue from the two-hole. Mar/a Purdue would win that race wire to wire in 2:13.] and jolly Don finished second by half a length.