She explained her choice, “What more could he do? He was the best. I always admire Billy for having the guts to leave at the age he did. He travelled paths that hadn’t been travelled much at that time. He ventured into no—man’s land and came out at the top. Billy came from the same era as my elder bother, Neldie. I often thought that if circumstances had been different and Neldie wasn‘t tragical- ly taken from us that that could have been him.”

Clare MacDonald enjoyed driving in a race but she loved training, especially colts. She stated, “I can't see myself going to the barn every day to train aged horses knowing that when they got to the races you already knew their capa— bilities. To head off on a cold morning with a $2,500 claimer knowing that when you got there by the first of May that he is still a $2,500 claimer is not my cup of tea. I love to go out the door with a colt or filly in the morning with the hope and expectation that he or she could be the next champion. This could be a Firms Phantom, a Clinton Debriefed or an Island Tradition. There is a great incen- tive to see how he or she develops. I find it satisfying to be putting in all the hours and knowing that it is your input that has helped this animal along the path.”

Many Atlantic Canadians have taken their game to the next level and progressed successfully from grassroots racing in Atlantic Canada to elite racing at Mohawk or the Meadowlands. I believe

32

Behind the Gate

that Clare had the talent to make this transition successfully. Year after year her results have spoken for her; howev— er, she did not contemplate a move. She explained why, "Stubbornness, I guess; thinking that things eventually will get better here. We are able to make a liv— ing. We have a farm. Maybe things just look greener on the other side. We are not suffering where we are presently. You get comfortable with what you are used to. I would be lying ifI said I did- n’t think of a move, but it is not the be— all nor the end—all. However, it could happen someday.“

Clare MacDonald was a standardbred dri— ver, trainer, farrier, owner and breeder. In july 2007, she became the first Canadian female driver to attain 1,000 career wins. That same year, her talent— ed family accomplished a rare feat when Clare, husband Ken and son Neldie all won races on the same card.

In an interview with Trot magazine, Clare offered this advice to girls interested in harness racing, “Any girl who has a love for horses and is not afraid of hard work, can and will do well in this game. Go get ‘em girls!”

In her familiar white—gold—green driving colors, Clare was a regular participant in the Mildred Williams Women‘s Inter- national Driving Series which was described by Trot as, “Designed to pro— mote positive press for women in har— ness racing and raise awareness of