Shawn Steacy steps up to the First Line
Based in Brantford, 33-year-old is trainer of record at one of the largest racing operations in Canada
Shawn Steacy is battling to accept that he is now 33 years old and on the verge of middle age. But, being the trainer of record for one of the largest harness racing operations in the country would suggest he has more responsibilities than most his age.
Newly located in Brantford, Steacy commands a team of 50 horses at First Line Training Centre, located just south of Guelph. It is a one-hour commute but that is just part of the price of his career.
His father, Mark, is the mastermind behind the stable who, along with his other son, Clark, conditions another 25 horses at their eastern Ontario base at Lansdowne.
The 2019 season was the first for Shawn to be trainer of record. The barn has had a remarkable record for consistency, winning more than $1 million in purses 13 of 14 years. Under Shawn’s banner it hit $1.1 million, a remarkable number consider there was not one winner of $100,000.
“While it was disappointing not to have a big name horse, I was quite proud of what we were able to do. Our stable has always had a reputation for developing a lot of horses,” he says.
“That did not change which helps us sell them after the stake season. I also like the fact we are having our best ever winter. A lot of work and crazy schedule but it’s paying off.”
It is also a pivotal year for Shawn who has made his largest personal investment taking on pieces of three horses.
“My father and I started talking about this four years ago so being where I am did not happen overnight,” he says.
“After the Ontario government cancelled the slots at racetracks program, we made the decision to split the stable and I moved to Guelph in 2013. We were not sure about it but has proven to be the best thing we could have done. Everything revolves around Woodbine Mohawk Park and Flamboro Downs for the lesser horses.”
The stable has an impressive list of successes with horses like Hana Hanover, Sunshine Beach and Majestic Son to name a few. Three year old trotter Nylander, a $110,000 yearling purchase is a big hope for 2020.
“He appears to be a special horse in certain ways. He has the lungs and heart to be a top horse but last year he interfered in his gait. It may be one of those things maturity will take care of not unlike what happened with Majestic Son and Sunshine Beach. But there are no guarantees.”
Shawn is a very happy camper being right where he wants to be despite living a punishing work schedule.
“I’m big on family although it is not easy with my routine. My girlfriend Natasha and I have been together for three years with a little boy, Lucas. So that backstops creeping up on middle age and running a very competitive stable at Woodbine Mohawk,” he says.
“I’m very proud of my family. My dad still wears the big hat but Clark and I handle the day-to-day stuff. My mother and uncle look after the books so it is a real family business.”
Shawn qualifies the content of the stable being well rounded. He draws attention to the older horses, perhaps lesser with the three-year-olds but very optimistic with the rookie two-year-olds, especially the trotters.
“This business of racing horses is so much about being good at the right moment. No horse is good every night,” he says.
“The only thing more stressful is maybe buying the yearlings. It is so easy to pick the wrong ones and you don’t know that until six months later.”
Optimism rules in racing horses. Tomorrow always had the promise of a better day. It seems that at this stage of life, there is reason for Shawn Steacy to be optimistic every day.