Hall of Fame Racing Writer Curtis Stock / Woodbine Announcer Robert Geller / Woodbine Former Jockey and Trainer Francine Villeneuve

Ann and Larry interview Hall of Fame Racing Writer Curtis Stock, who discusses his newest book, ‘THE TUCOTTES, THE REMARKABLE STORY OF A HORSE RACING DYNASTY’, which is based on one of the most famous Canadian horse racing families, that included famed Hall of Fame jockey, Ron.  Curtis also discusses what prompted him to write the book about the Turcotte family and  he also talks about the five Turcotte brothers who all became jockeys, but were all alike and  had a hard time adjusting to life after race riding.  Curtis also talks about how he went about researching the book and discusses his own career which led to being elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017 and saw him settle in Western Canada covering horse racing. Woodbine  Announcer Robert Geller, who disusses todays opening day of the Thoroughbred meet and what he looks for to assist him in calling the races. Robert  also discusses how he called some races at Sam Houston earlier this year and if he didn’t choose racetrack announcing as a career path, what he possibly would be working at. Robert also talks about the upcoming Kentucky Derby and mentions a couple of horses he believes have a good chance of winning and also discusses a recent trip to Japan which also included some horse racing elements.  Woodbine former Jockey and Trainer Francine Villeneuve, who discusses a recent string of bad luck that has forced her to disperse her stable to other Trainers and left her wondering what the future in horse racing will hold for her. Francine also talks about  her successes  as a Jockey and Trainer which included finishing second in the 1991 Queen’s Plate  and winning the 2004 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for contributions to racing and also  the fact that her career helped to pave the way for future female Jockeys. Francine also discusses what  attracted her to the horse racing industry in the first place. In our new feature, ‘ In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry and Ann discuss the recently announced celebrations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown. Larry also  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Curtis  talks about  what prompted him to write, ‘THE TURCOTTES, THE REMARKABLE STORY OF A HORSE RACING DYNASTY’ and with this being the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown who was ridden by Ron Turcotte, was this part of the reason he chose 2023 to release the book. He also discusses how long it took to write the book  and how he went about researching its content and talks about the five Turcotte brothers  and how they faced the same demise and didn’t know what to do when they had to quit riding and discusses the fact that race riding can be a very risky occupation. Curtis also talks about how his career took him to Western Canada and what it was like to be elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017 and the steps getting there. 

Robert, initially talks about Opening Day at Woodbine today and whether it is difficult calling the races because of the short distances.He also discusses whether he has a routine that he gets into before calling the races on a race day and talks about recently calling races at Sam Houston Park in Texas. Robert also talks about the upcoming Kentucky Derby and in particular a couple of horses that he believes have a great opportunity to win this years race and also discusses what makes Opening Day at Woodbine so special. Finally, Robert mentions a recent trip he made to Japan and what he believes he would possibly be working at, if horse racing didn’t work out.

Francine, first talks about the recent string of bad luck she has undergone which has forced her to temporary leave the horse racing industry. Francine also discusses some options she is considering to remain in the industry and talks about what it was that attracted her to horse racing. She also mentions about her career and the fact that it helped to pave the way for future female jockeys and discusses some of the highlights as a Jockey that included finishing second in the 1991 Queen’s Plate and the winner of the 2004 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award for contribution to racing. It is also discussed  how she was the first female jockey in Canadian history to reach 1,000 career wins and personally, how she would sum up her career.