Winning Far From Home

Could this be another British Invasion?

No, I''m not referring to another rock''n roll invasion that hit the music charts in the early ''60's by the Beatles, The Who and Rolling Stones, but an invasion that has hit the harness tracks of North America.

Due to English racing''s handicapping methods, the lack of competition and
the scantiness of purse money, many owners have decided to ship their more competitive stock to either Canada or the United States.

With the word spread world wide of the riches pouring out of slot lounges
located at the racetracks throughout Ontario many determine this the place
to be.

Such is the case for Susan Young of Hereford England the owner of Neil Hill
GB a six-year-old gelding who recently rounded Western Fair Raceway''s half mile oval.

This son of Direct Current began his racing career in England as a four-year-old but due to an injury was laid off until his five-year-old campaign. In eighteen starts for 2001 Neil Hill GB visited the winners circle eight times and collected earnings totaling $7,077. Due to English racing rules each time the gelding made that glorious trip to the winners circle he was appointed a starting position ten yards back from the rest of the field during his next start out. By the time the decision was made to transport Neil Hill to Canada he was starting eighty yards back from his competition.

In October 2001 the bay gelding was transported to the Ben Wallace stable
and given some time to settle before qualifying.

"It was difficult sending Neil to a trainer we didn''t know. We''ve heard good things about Mr. Wallace and he came highly recommended," says Susan.

"We wanted to see Neil''s first race in Canada so we packed the family and
flew over there. We were pleased with his first start out which was on
January 11 at Flamboro Downs. He finished second with Mario Baillargeon in
the bike."

Neil Hill GB made his second trip behind the gate on January 21, 2002 at
Western Fair Raceway.

Driver Don McElroy was assigned the hot seat and as one of Western Fair''s
leading drivers for the last decade there couldn''t have been a better local
choice.

Coming from post three, McElroy and his British partner got away second and
there they sat awaiting the perfect time to make their move. At the half,
McElroy tipped Neil Hill GB and guided the six-year-old toward victory lane.
At the top of the stretch the duo were two lengths ahead. Approaching the
finish Neil Hill continued to gain ground and crossed the wire in a time of
2:00.2, to claim his first victory on foreign soil.

"It was great to see his first win in Canada," says Susan. "We didn''t think
it would happen as soon as it did. We were so pleased that we were there to
witness it. We''re so proud of him. Don McElroy''s a great driver. I trained
and drove Neil myself here in England and he''s a bit of a puller but Don
seems to get along with him fine."

On February 1, 2001, trainer Ben Wallace shipped Neil Hill GB to Western
Fair Raceway for a repeat performance. Once again driver Don McElroy took
the call and the two gave a gate to wire performance cutting fractions of
29.2, 1:00.4, 1:30.3 to complete the mile in a time of 2:01.1

Even though Susan and her family made the trip back home, she was able to
watch the race on the internet through broadcast.tv.

"It was about 4:00 a.m. my time when Neil''s race went to post. I was so
happy he won again but disappointed I couldn''t be there. He''s like a member of our family and we miss him dearly. You know we probably never would have visited Canada if we hadn''t shipped the horse over there," says
Susan.

"While in Canada we went for a sleigh ride, bought a toboggan and went
tobogganing and when it came time to come home we were all upset, in fact my five-year-old cried. You have a great country. It would be blissful to have
a good competitive horse to send that way every year," she continued. "Oh
could you do me a favour, next time Neil is at your track could you stop by,
say hello and give him a kiss for me."