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own hard work, talent, determination, insight, the support of his family and some luck, he managed to do very well.

The list of people that Mike worked for and consequently learned from included Francis Mclsaac, Buddy Campbell, Jim MacGregor, Joe O'Brien, John Patterson Sr, Harvey Cormier, Stanley Mayhew and Rufin Barrieau. The person that Mike respected most in the game was Jim Doherty. Mike said he was a gentleman and a top trainer and driver. Mike added that Jim MacGregor always gave him good advice too.

Mike's stable usually included 17 or 18 horses. Some who worked for him were Joey Shea, Steve Charlton, Jody Hennessey, Gordie Ford, Jamie Smith, Ambyr Macl’hee and Mark MacDonald.

Mike had some sound advice for young— sters contemplating a life with the horses. He explained, “They have to make up their minds to leave home at one time or another if they are going to make harness racing their life. They have to be able to go where they can do some good for

Behind the Gate

themselves. There are all kinds of good horsemen in the Atlantic provinces but they are never going to achieve what they could if they remain home. The Atlantic provinces offer an excellent place to start because you get so many opportunities here that you can't get any- where else. Here you can train horses when you are 12 or 13 but in Montreal you can't even get on the track at that age." Mike cited young Mark MacDonald as one who had followed this route and as one to really watch. Mike knew from experience what he was talking about.

On a Friday evening, August 15, 2003, Mike won the Gold Cup and Saucer con- solation with his horse Harmony P. Twenty—four hours later it appeared, at the top of the stretch, that Mike and Ham/zany P would also win the presti— gious Gold Cup and Saucer, making it Mike's sixth victory; however, after one of the most dramatic stretch drives in Gold Cup and Saucer history and a thrilling pliot(_)finisli, Sand Oils Dexter and Mark MacDonald emerged victorious. The student had succeeded his mentor.

90 I995 Gold (Iup presentation by Lt. Gov, Marion Reid. Photo: Guardian Photo