Incidentally, one of john Ladner’s race- horses was the popular and competitive trotter Bud Kalmuc/e.

In the early 19805, Cecil shared owner— ship of Era Ace with Kenny Hughes and Jack Quinn. Paul MacDonald was their driver. This was Cecil Ladner‘s introduc— tion into the ownership ranks and, for the next quarter of a century, he would be the proud co-owner of a number of com- petitive race horses. During this period, he and his family enjoyed a number of thrilling and exciting moments in the Winners‘ Circle. Some of their biggest victories included Rymarjim winning the Premiers Pace during Old Home Week; Rouge Baron winning the Don MacNeill Stake, Williamson Memorial Stake, Duck Acorn, PEI Colt Stake; Legend Killean winning the Junior Invitational on Governor’s Plate Night, Wal Hennessey Memorial; Dunacbton Nukes winning the Wal Hennessey Memorial; and Eastwood Fred winning in the fastest dead—heat in GDP. history, dead heating with Almaburst Loo/eer in 1:59.

Cecil also experienced one of the low points in horse ownership when gritty pacer G O K broke his leg during a race at the C.D.P. and had to be humanely put down that evening by a veterinarian. Some of the other horses owned by Cecil

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Behind the Gate

and his partners over the years included Rbett Butler, Copper Leo, Harborvuejazz, AC’s Alou, Amron Ramble, She's A Sonic and Valiant Star.

One of the biggest highlights of Cecil’s horse ownership was the acquisition of Bacle From The Past co-owned by long time friend Keith Pigot as well as Cecil’s sons. Trained by Ron MacDonald, Bac/e From The Past raced well in Toronto and the pacer was due home for the 2005 Gold Cup and Saucer. He did race in the Gold Cup and Saucer and Cecil had a front row seat from heaven above.

Something that Cecil really appreciated in the race game was the unique relation- ship that often developed among the owner, trainer and driver. Lifetime friendships often developed because as an owner, he dealt with drivers and train- ers like Kenny Hughes, Vince Poulton, Tom Weatherbie, Ron MacDonald, Marcel

Barrieau, Paul MacKenzie, Paul MacDonald, Jason Hughes. Shane Bernard, Kenny Arsenault, Walter

Cheverie, Len McGuigan, David O’Brien, Gary Chappell, Vaughan Doyle, David Wilkie and Clifford Murphy. Cecil’s son Brian trained Legend Killean in the sum— mers of 2002 and 2005 which made those summers special to Cecil.

Cecil was a competitor and be enjoyed the competitive spirit involved in a horse race.

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