0905TbV layot.indd - Hastings Racecourse

WATCH ANIMALS
Don and Joan Whatley don’t have to worry about
burglars; it would take a brave person to walk into
their yard. Don and Joan saved an orphaned calf
and since it was Christmas time, they named her
Chris. Chris had 2 calves, which now are VERY BIG
steers named Rusty and Joey. These three wander
around the yard and they love to greet any person
who attempts to enter their space. They would not
hurt you BUT they certainly will let Joan and Don
know that there is someone around. Besides these
three, they have 6 horses and 2 dogs that are equally
as loved and also are very interested in new people
arriving. You can imagine a burglar’s surprise if he
happened to bump into any one of these animals but
especially Chris, Rusty or Joey.
THE THOROUGHBRED LADIES CLUB Have
a busy fall, September 18th is the Old-timers
Luncheon, October 1st the Washington Ladies Club
visit the track, also the Campaigner’s Award is in
October, and finally the Children’s Christmas party
will be in December.
The bench and flowers outside the East Gate are
for the use and enjoyment of all. This is also the
entrance to our backstretch and it is so important to
keep it clean. Please help.
“And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew
his breath over it and created the horse.” Bedouin
Legend
8
Joan and Rusty
Lookin Gooood... Luke McGhie wears
a black suit and tie for The BC Cup. Luke
is studying for his trainers licence and is
taking the test the first part of September.
Whos Working by Jackie Humber
Lee Haslam learned the art of horsemanship
as a youngster growing up on his families farm in
Alberta.
The Haslam family travelled the western racetrack
circuit between Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
In 1971 while working in Alberta , a young Lee
Haslam decided to travel west with Canada West
Ranches when they decided to send their horses to
BC to trainer Harold Barroby. “I’ve been here ever
since and only worked for Harold the entire time.
That’s saying a lot about him,” said Haslam.
In the early 90’s Haslam decide to become a Valet
to the jockeys in the afternoon. “The Valets are a
great bunch of guys. We are a tight knit group,” said
Haslam.
Valets are responsible for getting the equipment
ready for the jockeys and for making sure the
jockeys carry their assigned weights for each race.
The Valets must also saddle the horses before each
race. Sometimes this looks easier than it is. “A lot
of the horses are difficult to handle but we just do
what needs to be done to get them saddled,” said
Haslam. Most Valets work for a one jockey but a
couple of Valets have more than one jockey. Haslam
works for both Jockey Dave Wilson and apprentice
Jockey Justin Stein. “Working for two “Jocks” keeps
me pretty busy but I enjoy the work,” said Haslam.
He has spent almost 35 years at Hastings and
it doesn’t appear that Haslam is getting ready to
retire. “ Retirement isn’t for me ,at least not yet,” said
Haslam.