Merry ChristMas and a happy new year Joyeux noël et bonne année Royal Becquet p,1:51s ($350,870) the allaRd BRotheRs simon & rene Photos by New Image <strong>Media</strong>
ELMER FANNIN: A MAN WITH A PLAN he’s a fun person to be around and is always trying to enhance the sport in any way he can.” “I can’t say enough good things about <strong>Elmer</strong> <strong>Fannin</strong>,” said Judy Davis-Wilson, executive director of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund. “Besides the investment he made <strong>with</strong> Brookside training center and all of his racehorses, <strong>Elmer</strong> has dedicated himself to enhancing harness racing in the state. Our sport could definitely use a few more people like him.” “The sport is too much about the gambling and not about the horses anymore,” <strong>Elmer</strong> stated. “The people are so detached from the horses nowadays and in many cases can’t even get close to them at the racetracks because of the way the tracks are built. It’s so sad for the younger generation that they really aren’t able to experience racing the way we used to 20 and 30 years ago. Instead of racing 15 races a night for $5,000 and $10,000 claimers we should race ten races and take the rest of that money and apply it to making the sport more friendly and accessible to the public. “Within three and a half hours of Delaware we have 40 million people, 25 per cent of the population of the United States live in this area,” he stressed. “So you have the potential to draw thousands of people to the tracks. That’s a lot of families who could get into harness racing.” Outside of the horse industry, <strong>Elmer</strong> continues to enjoy the family business that he has slowly turned over to his three sons. “My wife and I get great satisfaction from having our three sons all complete college and join our company,” he noted. “With OUR ASSOCIATION EXTENDS TO YOU Holiday Greetings WITH EVERY GOOD WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR! December 2009 • The Harness Edge NOTRE ASSOCIATION VOUS SOUHAITE DE Joyeuses Fêtes AVEC TOUS NOS MEILLEURS VOEUX POUR LA NOUVELLE ANNÉE! National Capital Region Harness Horse Association Visit us at www.ncrhha.ca their knowledge they can take the business to a level greater than what we have been able to do on our own. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to send your children through college and then work <strong>with</strong> them, sharing the education of everyday life. “I’ve enjoyed my experience as an entrepreneur in the construction business, providing several hundred homes to good people throughout Sussex County, Delaware,” <strong>Elmer</strong> acknowledged. “Being in the development of a small beachside county provides you <strong>with</strong> the added satisfaction of being able to run into a lot of customers in stores, restaurants, at school functions, etc. <strong>with</strong> the grandchildren.” Never one to stand idle, <strong>Elmer</strong> continues to work on his latest plan which he says is “my last venture before retirement; a 200 acre medical research park set to include a hospital and medical mall where all services will be performed in one pleasant setting, complete <strong>with</strong> coffee shops, cafes and hotels.” As well, this fall <strong>Elmer</strong> purchased 24 yearlings during his jaunts to the Lexington and Harrisburg sale venues, and said he is looking forward to seeing them progress in their training and racing endeavours in 2010. “I don’t golf or do any other sport really,” <strong>Elmer</strong> admitted. “In the future I’d like to have some good colts that could go on to be top stallions and I’d like to be involved in the breeding game, not in a big way, but modestly and stay at that level. I’ll always be involved in the sport as I just love to have conversations about the horses.” That sounds like a plan. Holiday Wishes Special thanks to our staff, clients and friends for making 2009 a wonderful year. PAT, ANNA & JUSTIN MEYERS
Change language