Horse racing at Truro Raceway Special

Every Sunday in June horses and those who work with them compete in races at Truro Raceway, a Nova Scotia track which first saw action in 1875.

Although the track is called Truro Raceway, it is located in the adjoining village of Bible Hill, on the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds. A lot of work takes place during the week for prepare a horse for race day, with regular jogging and training keeping the equine athletes fit. While some horses are stabled on the grounds, others arrive earlier that day just to race. The horses which compete in harness racing are standardbreds. They usually weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds and are longer bodied than thoroughbreds. Most standardbreds are bay in colour, with brown and black showing up fairly often, and a few chestnut, roan and grey coats. In some places - mainly in Australia and New Zealand- skewbalds are also seen.

Lynn Curwin

Truro Raceway

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Most standardbreds are pacers, which means that both legs on one side of the body move forward at the same time the legs on the other side move back. Pacers often wear hobbles on their legs to help them maintain their gait. Trotters move the right front and left rear legs forward and back at the same time.

Lynn Curwin

Groom Sarah Bruce gets Dawnbrae Echo ready to race.

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Lynn Curwin

Inside the race paddock.

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Lynn Curwin

Majian Candor, heading for the track.

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Lynn Curwin

Going behind the gate for the beginning of the race.

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Lynn Curwin

The horses race in front of the grandstand.

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The grandstand currently at Truro Raceway was constructed after the old one was destroyed by fire in 1981. The building offers seating both upstairs and downstairs, a canteen, Top of the Turn Diner, and the Trackside Lounge.

Lynn Curwin

Following the race, horses have their numbers removed after leaving the track.

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Lynn Curwin

Calmlee Jason, who was driven by Carl Isenor, stands quietly in the winners' circle on a rainy day for a photo.

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Lynn Curwin

Driver Jimmy Davis doesn't get a chance to relax in the winners' circle, as Pictonian Hector is excited and full of energy following his win.

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The track record of 1:53.2 was set in July 2006 by Dunachton Gale, with Phil Pinkney driving. Although horses are now faster and the cost of most things has gone up, admission to the races - as well as parking - is free.

Lynn Curwin

Driver Justin Daniels washes Picture It, a horse owned by his wife Gillian, a refreshing wash following a race.

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Standardbreds who have retired from racing, and those who are not fast enough to ever compete, can make excellent pleasure horses. The Maritime Standardbred Please Horse Association and Morningstar Acres are both working in Atlantic Canada to promote the horses and help find them suitable homes.