'$60K and 11 wins': London father-daughter duo win major award from Western Fair Raceway

Every morning, Shae Sumner is in the barn taking care of the first horse she’s ever owned.

Every morning, Shae Sumner is in the barn taking care of the first horse she’s ever owned.

“This is ‘Ladies from Hell’”, said Shae, standing next to the champion 10-year-old mare that she co-owns with her father, Michael.

“She actually just won ‘Aged Mare of the Year’ award at Western Fair. It’s special because it's our home track.”

The horse had a special 2024, earning 11 victories and making more than $60,000.

'I've had one ‘Claimer of the Year’ (award) and winning an ‘Aged Mare of the Year’ is really hard to do,” said Michael, a veteran trainer and horseman from London, Ont.

“There (are) good horses that come in from Toronto and ship in from everywhere so it’s not easy.”