Some 1,600 kilometres east of Woodbine in Nova Scotia, Siobhan Brown, groom of 2020 Queen's Plate and Prince of Wales champ Mighty Heart, is preparing to head back to Ontario, more specifically, to Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll's Barn 39 operation.
The native of Cape Breton, NS, who'll start her fourth year working for Carroll, is keeping her mind occupied with a daily dose of Netflix offerings.
Thinking about the five horses she'll have under her care, including one-eyed wonder Mighty Heart, takes up even more of her time.
“I'm going crazy,” said Brown. “I'm counting down the days. I just can't wait to get back. I think about Mighty Heart daily, but I also think about my other horses. It's just so exciting. You wonder what the year is going to bring. Twirling Faith, one of the horses I take care of, she won at Gulfstream on Valentine's Day. I watched the race on TV and I was screaming every step of the way, trying to tell her what to do. That's the way I am with all my horses… I really can't wait to see what the year brings.”
Brown is scheduled to arrive in Toronto around the middle of March, and in accordance with the strict safety protocols put in place by Woodbine, will quarantine for 10 days before getting to work on the backstretch.
When she does return, she'll have some special gifts in tow, including a nearly six-foot plush inchworm.
Yes, you read that correctly.
The recipient of the stuffed toy is the mare Grey Seal, aka, “Gracie,” a strong-willed 6-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast.
“Grey Seal, she needs to have a stuffed toy. She likes to have one with her at all times. But I love all of my horses. Every one of them has their own unique personality. My goal each year is always to have each horse win a race. I want them to have that moment because when a horse wins, it's as though they know they've done well. They are just so proud of themselves. It's nice when they that moment because they deserve that. More importantly, I just want them to know I'm there to take care of them and to make sure they are loved.”
Brown, who received widespread media attention after Mighty Heart's high-profile victories, is looking forward to reestablishing the bond she had with the horses under her care in 2020.
She counts those relationships as amongst the most important ones in her life.
“I've always told people that it's not a career… I just love it. Ironically, I'm not a morning person, but when I pull up to the barn and it's the warmer weather and the car windows are all down, my horses know my car and they come to the gate. You hear that nickering in the morning before it's even light out. It's a beautiful sound. It's so rewarding. Through my own sports, I've experienced the satisfaction of being successful, but it's something so different and so special with horses. Even just watching them breeze or train, it's amazing to see it all unfold and know that you've played a role in it.”
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