McIntosh among Canadian Hall of Fame electees

Mister Big, a son of Grinfromeartoear, has been one of the most consistent and successful performers in the sport. With career earnings of over $4 million, he is the second richest pacer of all time. This multiple Dan Patch and Nova Award winner won all the major races in his division as a 5 year old and paced 18 miles in 1:49 or lower. From 85 career starts, he has 34 wins, 20 seconds and 11 thirds. He is owned by Joseph Muscara of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., and is standing his first season as a stallion at Tara Hills Stud Farm in Port Perry, Ont.

 

Classic Wish, a daughter of Armbro Emerson, won over $436,000 during her racing career and has excelled as a broodmare. From 11 foals, she has produced two millionaires including Bettor's Delight, a winner of over $2 million and No Pan Intended, a winner of $1.6 million. Her average earnings per foal are in excess of $608,000. Bred by David Lemon of Komoka, Ont., Classic Wish is now owned by Winbak Farm of Chesapeake City, Md.

 

McIntosh, of Windsor, Ont., is a four-time O’Brien Award winner as Canada’s Trainer of the Year and is the leading trainer in the Breeders Crown with 15 championship trophies to his credit. He has trained over 3,562 winners and horses to earnings in excess of $78 million. Among the lengthy list of champions that McIntosh has trained over the years are North American Horse of the Year winners Staying Together and Artsplace.

 

Heffering, of Port Perry, Ont., has a tremendous list of accomplishments in the Standardbred industry. He has found his way to the winner’s circle for many of the sport’s premier stakes events and he’s campaigned many notable horses including Precious Bunny, a winner of over $2 million and a member of the Hall of Fame. In 1996, Heffering and his son, David, opened Tara Hills Stud Farm in Port Perry, Ont., and it has risen to become one of the most successful stallion stations in Canada. Heffering has bred such top level horses as Bunny Lake, a winner of over $3 million and Precious Delight, a winner of over $1.3 million. Heffering has also served on numerous organizations in the Standardbred industry, such as the Board of Directors of Standardbred Canada, Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Hambletonian Society.

 

The Worthy Bowl trotter A Worthy Lady was undefeated in his racing career of 30 starts and earned over $446,000 while dominating Ontario Sires Stakes events. He also sired winners of $2.5 million from 43 foals. A Worthy Lad was bred by Dr. Joseph Johnston of Oldcastle, Ont., and Ross Johnston of Sombra, Ont., and was owned during his racing career by Dr. Johnston before being shipped overseas to Sweden where he was sold. (SC)