<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Retired racehorse Archives - Woodbine Mohawk Park</title> <atom:link href="/mohawk/tag/retired-racehorse/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link></link> <description>Horse Racing, Slots and Entertainment in Toronto</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:09:42 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-CA</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2</generator> <item> <title>OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:09:03 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk Insider]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aftercare]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired racehorse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired Standardbred]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=35704</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, April 10, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/">OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, April 10, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).</p> <p>This week, we have a double feature starring Frightful Watch and Weatherly, who have remained side-by-side after retiring from their respective racing careers in 2021.</p> <p>The pair, who were stablemates in trainer Julie Walker’s barn, reunited later that year after being adopted into the same family.</p> <p>While they found themselves back in the OSAS program the following year, Frightful Watch and Weatherly were adopted again, this time by Lisa and Rob Lee.</p> <p>The bonded bays arrived at the Lee’s 60-acre Oro-Medonte, Ontario farm last October and have been nothing but a pleasure since that time.</p> <p>“The boys love treat time,” said Lisa. “They stand in their spot ready, neighing and licking their lips waiting for their treats. They are pretty funny. Both Wes [Weatherly] and Kevin [Frightful Watch] are such gentle souls.</p> <p>“Here is Wes [right] with my daughter, and I am on Kevin [left]. This would be my daughter’s first time riding a horse. There was no doubt that Wes was safe. He was the same with Rob. Kevin was equally happy to give me my first ride after many, many years out of the saddle.</p> <figure id="attachment_35705" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35705" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-scaled.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-35705 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-800x533.jpg" alt="Lisa with Kevin (Frightful Watch) and her daughter with Wes (Weatherly)" width="750" height="500" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-800x533.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-350x233.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-768x512.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Frightful-Watch-Weatherly-1-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35705" class="wp-caption-text">Lisa with Kevin (Frightful Watch) and her daughter with Wes (Weatherly)</figcaption></figure> <p>“Both boys are a joy to have on the farm.”</p> <p>Fun fact #1: Weatherly enjoyed a successful 144-start racing career, displaying dependable durability to earn over $212,000 (15-17-19).</p> <p>Fun fact #2: Frightful Watch only made two starts before hanging up the horseshoes. However, he has always borne a strong connection to OSAS through his dam, Artsplace daughter Dianes Place, who started her career in the stable of Hall of Fame horseman and member of OSAS’ board of directors, Bill O’Donnell.</p> <p><strong>Frightful Watch (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: April 17, 2017</p> <p>Sire: Hes Watching</p> <p>Dam: Dianes Place</p> <p>Trainer: Julie Walker (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Lisa & Rob Lee</p> <p>Breeder: Litwin Racing Team</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Adopted</p> <p><strong>Weatherly (ON)</strong></p> <p>Foaled: April 24, 2011</p> <p>Sire: Dali</p> <p>Dam: Kash Luv</p> <p>Trainer: Julie Walker (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Lisa & Rob Lee</p> <p>Breeder: VIP Internet Stable LLC</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Adopted</p> <p><strong>Can you share some insights into Frightful Watch’s personality?</strong></p> <p>“I would describe Kevin as sensitive, cautious and curious. He loves people and attention. His eyes are so soft, and he looks like he looks deep into your soul. It was interesting learning about him and Wes. I thought that Wes would rely on Kevin, but it is actually Kevin that is looking for Wes. Both are calm and easy to work around.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35706" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-35706 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-800x1067.jpg" alt="Rob and Frightful Watch, now Kevin" width="750" height="1000" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-800x1067.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-350x467.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch-768x1024.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Rob-Frightful-Watch.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35706" class="wp-caption-text">Rob and Frightful Watch, now Kevin</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>What are some of Frightful Watch’s favourite routines or ways to spend the day?</strong></p> <p>“He loves to eat, like most horses. They are often found not far from each other, near the hay bale. They currently live with two mares and the girls definitely boss them around. If you are busy doing something, he is the first one to inspect. If he can help, he is there. If he could talk, I’m sure he would be saying ‘Hey, what ya doing? Can I help?’”</p> <p><strong>What’s one memorable moment that shows Weatherly’s unique character or spirit?</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p>“The only one that comes to mind is his great escape. One day, shortly after being with us, he escaped the pen. There is a small gate by the pond that was open, and Weatherly adventured out to the green grass on the other side. He visited the other pen where he found the minis he once met before at the Mollicas – he maybe even shared a paddock with them.</p> <p>“The minis then broke out, and when Rob looked out, he quickly put on his boots, went to put his halter on and Wes turned and went back into his pen – more or less saying, ‘I know. I know. I’m not supposed to be out here.’”</p> <p><strong>What are some of the activities you and Weatherly enjoy doing together?</strong></p> <p>“Wes loves people. He is always the first to the gate. Wes and I are working on our communication skills; he is showing me his leadership skills. Both boys will be joining my EAL [Equine Assisted Learning] program in the Spring. I acquired my equine assisted learning facilitator certification in 2018 in the Dreamwinds-Cartier Farms program.</p> <p>“I have been looking for the perfect horses to add to my herd to start facilitating at my home farm. Wes has the experience and leadership to be an excellent teacher. Obviously, we look for safe, friendly horses but they also need to embrace the opportunity to work with my clients and provide a positive experience where they can learn and feel safe. Both boys easily adapt to new obstacles.”</p> <figure id="attachment_35707" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35707" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-35707 size-large" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-800x1067.jpg" alt="Lisa and Weatherly" width="750" height="1000" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-800x1067.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-350x467.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly-768x1024.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Lisa-Weatherly.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35707" class="wp-caption-text">Lisa and Weatherly, now Wes</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>These two have been together for quite some time now. How do they interact when they’re together? How do they complement each other?</strong></p> <p>“Again, I mistakenly thought that Wes would rely heavily on Kevin. Wes lost his eye as a youngster, I am told, but he manages very well on his own. Kevin is a little more needy than Wes. Kevin is more sensitive, while Wes seems to be able to take a joke. They are never far away from each other.”</p> <p><strong>What lessons or joys have you discovered from having both Frightful Watch and Weatherly in your life?</strong></p> <p>“Frightful and Weatherly are a great addition to our farm. We hope that they will continue to grow and flourish. Unfortunately, they have only been with us over the last six months, and it has been winter, so they have adapted well to the quietness of our farm. We generally don’t have a lot going on over the winter – they have spent a lot of time as farm ornaments – but their work will start in May once the ground is ready and the snow is gone.”</p> <p>Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.</p> <p>OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.</p> <p>Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 905-339-6748, for more information.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-insider/osas-pathways-frightful-watch-weatherly/">OSAS Pathways: Frightful Watch & Weatherly</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>OSAS Pathways: Steel Reserve</title> <link>/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-steel-reserve/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[grace]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:27:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Mohawk News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OSAS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired racehorse]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Retired Standardbred]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steel Reserve]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/mohawk/?p=35270</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, February 25, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society...</p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-steel-reserve/">OSAS Pathways: Steel Reserve</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>TORONTO, February 25, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).</p> <p>This week’s installment belongs to Steel Reserve, who after hanging up the horseshoes on an iron-tough 11-year racing career last August, moved in with Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ontario.</p> <p>Susan reflects on the 14-year-old trotter’s emotional journey toward a second career in equine-assisted therapy with Rebecca Pschibul and Reconnect Therapy, and the indelible mark he left along the way.</p> <p>“When he came here, he knew nothing but racing. That was his whole focus. He was an iron horse; he still was an iron horse. He’s the ultimate warrior.”</p> <p>Fun fact #1: Steel Reserve’s barn name is Steel.</p> <p>Fun fact #2: Steel Reserve’s sire, Credit Winner, was inducted into the Harness Racing Living Horse Hall of Fame<strong> </strong>in 2022 after a career that included nearly $1.5 million in purse earnings. As a stallion, Credit Winner has sired winners of over $104 million, including six millionaires, and more than 300 $100,000 earners.</p> <p>Fun fact #3: Steel Reserve’s second dam is Me Maggie, who earned $743,350 during her career. She is the granddam of millionaire and world champion Lifetime Pursuit, the dam of $2.4 million earner and 2025 Dan Patch Award winner (three-year-old trotting colt), Super Chapter.</p> <p><strong>Steel Reserve</strong></p> <p>Foaled: April 20, 2012</p> <p>Sire: Credit Winner</p> <p>Dam: Iron Lass</p> <p>Trainer: Paul MacKenzie (most recent)</p> <p>Owner: Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society</p> <p>Breeder: Frederick Hertrich</p> <p>OSAS Program Status: Recently graduated</p> <figure id="attachment_35271" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35271" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-35271" src="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-800x533.jpg" alt="Steel Reserve and driver Chris Christoforou winning Race 3 on June 25, 2015 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media)" width="750" height="500" srcset="/mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-800x533.jpg 800w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-350x233.jpg 350w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-768x512.jpg 768w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, /mohawk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/03-STEEL-RESERVE-RC-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35271" class="wp-caption-text">Steel Reserve and driver Chris Christoforou winning Race 3 on June 25, 2015 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media)</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Tell us about Steel Reserve’s personality.</strong></p> <p>“I’ve never seen a horse with the emotions he’s shown. When he first arrived, my husband [Bert] and I were both like, ‘We don’t know what to do.’ We had never seen a horse cry before but there were literal tears in his eyes.</p> <p>“To bring him back, Bert would take him out for green grass for 20 minutes. And, Bert literally stayed with him when he was on stall rest – talking to him, comforting him, letting him know that this is your new life, and you are loved. Steel bonded with my husband and grew into this big loving teddy bear.</p> <p>“We bring him in, and he goes into the arena with my husband and all of a sudden, he’s like a puppy. When I bring him in for his feeds, he has to give me a kiss before he gets his meal, and he looks forward to that.</p> <p>“He’s going to be perfect for the [Reconnect Therapy] program because he communicates what he wants and that’s what Rebecca found. She loved that he’s a very strong communicator.</p> <p>“He’s one of the most communicative horses we’ve ever met.”</p> <p><strong>How has he adapted to training with Bert? What is the training regimen like knowing that he’s going into therapy work?</strong></p> <p>“He was never going to be ridden, so his training was totally different. We knew he was going to be a companion, so it wasn’t like we were bringing him out and tacking him up. What we would do is introduce him to all our obstacles as a free range – his training was free range. No halter, no nothing.</p> <p>“For example, my horses spend the night in the arena, so every day we have to pick up the arena manure from the night before. We would put Steel in the arena as Bert’s cleaning up the manure so that he would learn, ‘Oh, the barrels do this, I get to have a role, etc.,’ and his training was all stress free and companionship.</p> <p>“It was, ‘You can come give me a kiss, give me some loving, and then you can decide when you want to tour off and explore more.’</p> <p>“With the program that he’s going into, when Rebecca came and explained a lot of it to us, he won’t be working, he will be communicating with the people, insofar as dealing with the issues that are unique to their situation.</p> <p>“They will be talking, and if Steel wants to come over and be part of the conversation, it’s fine. But if he just wants to walk over and explore an empty chair, for example, he can, too.</p> <p>“The therapy that she does involves helping individuals who have been through a traumatic situation and letting them see that this big horse that’s just walking around or may come over for a kiss or a pet, is giving them the sense that nothing’s going to hurt them, and they are safe.</p> <p>“We just want him to show people freedom.”</p> <p><strong>What does it mean to you and Bert knowing that therapeutic work will be the next chapter of his life?</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p>“It means the world to us. It brings so much joy to us. After Rebecca left yesterday and we were looking at Steel in the field, we both started crying because it’s so emotional for us. Every horse is a reward to us.</p> <p>“We have two going tomorrow, Stetson [Seelster] and [Sweet] Deisel. It brings us tremendous joy that they’re going to be loved and find their purpose.</p> <p>“With Steel, OSAS didn’t throw him away. He was such a warrior in racing and Joanne [Colville] had seen him and said, ‘We can fix him and there will be a forever home for him.’ It took us a lot of work – it wasn’t as if we just put him in a stall and waited for him to get better. There was a lot we had to do to get him back, but in between was the loving that came with healing him.</p> <p>“Now, Steel is the king. He’s literally a king.”</p> <p>*</p> <p>Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses.</p> <p>OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission.</p> <p>Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or call 905-339-6748, for more information.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park</strong></p> <p>The post <a href="/mohawk/mohawk-news/osas-pathways-steel-reserve/">OSAS Pathways: Steel Reserve</a> appeared first on <a href="/mohawk">Woodbine Mohawk Park</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>