A Humble Horseman Living The Hollywood Dream

The rider and horse dashed over the ridge at breakneck speed beneath the pale moonlight, the pounding of hooves and the rush of adrenaline building as they hurtled toward the crowd and cameras.

Nico Lafond tugged on the reins, bringing the horse to a slow gallop as the shout of ‘Cut!’ pierced through the night sky on the set of the hit television action-drama series Fire Country.

While not the type of horsepower he’s used to, Lafond, a Thoroughbred trainer since 2011, has found similar satisfaction in his part-time stuntman career.

The journey to the set of Fire Country, filmed in Langley, was as winding as the Salmon River that runs through the southwestern British Columbia city.

In fact, Lafond didn’t even know he was on such a path. Then, one day, some eight years ago, his phone rang.

Cue the awkward conversation.

“Dayna Hale, who owns GoldFields Inc., a straw and shaving company, asked my wife, Tanya, if I wanted to be part of a documentary,” recalled Lafond. “I had no idea what was going on. My wife told Dana that I would do it, but I had no clue. A couple of days before the documentary was going to start shooting, Dana called me and said, ‘Are you all set?’ When I told her I had no idea what she was talking about it, she said that Tanya had signed me up for a documentary for TV. I said I’d get back to her.

“My wife said, ‘I said yes on your behalf because I knew you would say no.’ When I said I had no time for it, she said, ‘You can find a way to make time for it.’”

Eventually, with a little gentle prodding, Lafond acquiesced and went to Caledon, Ontario, to take on the title role in John Ware Reclaimed, “an examination of the mythology surrounding John Ware, the Black cowboy who settled in Alberta before the turn of the 20th century.”

It was part of the documentary series The Story Of Us Canada.

“I went and did it,” said Lafond, who was born in Barbados. “My role was to do stunt work for the actor who portrayed John Ware. Apparently, people saw it before I did and started reaching out telling me they saw me in this documentary. I forgot all about it. Then I watched it on YouTube, and it was very entertaining.”

Still, Lafond wasn’t exactly sold on the part-time stuntman life. Far from it.

“When I was on the shoot, people asked me if I was a professional actor, and I told them that this was the first thing I had ever done. People were very kind, but for me, I had my horses back home at Woodbine and that was all I cared about.”

Though hesitant at first, the unexpected success of the documentary sparked interest in his work, leading to another offer just a year later.

“That was for Anne of Green Gables,” said Lafond of the beloved Canadian TV series based on the popular character and novels penned by Lucy Maud Montgomery. “I did a couple episodes in St. Catharines (90 minutes south of Toronto). For me, it was just a fun thing, and I got to work with horses.”

He put his equine expertise to work again in 2018 when he performed stunt work on a couple episodes of another successful Canadian TV show, Murdoch Mysteries.

The critically-acclaimed series, which stars Yannick Bisson in the lead role, is filmed across Ontario, including Toronto.

“I met many wonderful actors and crew members, but for me, it remained a side gig. Anything to do with horses never feels like work for me, so if anything, I felt blessed to be able to do that.”

In 2019, Lafond, who was tending to his string of Thoroughbreds in Florida at the time, was called to Nova Scotia to be a stunt double on the nine-part television series Washington Black. He filmed his scenes for 10 days and was flown back to Florida.

It was that experience that prompted him to see the entertainment industry in a different light.

“I began to like it more – it was more interesting for me,” said Lafond, who subsequently did an episode of Fargo, the anthology TV series inspired by the 1996 film of the same name, along with a few other gigs. “During the whole process, people suggested I join ACTRA, the Canadian actors’ union, so I did.”

Last year, his affinity for life on the small on the screen grew exponentially.

“My biggest year was 2024. I was part of the TV series The Abandons, an American Western which is filmed in Alberta. That was a turning point for me. I started to interact with people more. It was fun. They taught me how the industry works, and it intrigued me so much. And that’s when it became fun for me.”

Fire Country stoked his passion even more.

“I flew out to British Columbia a few times. That was the most enjoyment I had. I loved it. I met amazing actors, cast and crew – they were all wonderful.”

The list includes Phil Morris.

Born in Ohio, the 65-year-old actor is known for playing lawyer Jackie Chiles from Seinfeld. Other credits include Dr. Joshua Sweet from Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Merc from Ratchet: Deadlocked, Martian Manhunter from Smallville, Silas Stone from Doom Patrol, Vandal Savage from Justice League Doom and Doc Saturday from The Secret Saturdays.

Lafond held the reins as one of Morris’ stunt doubles on Fire Country.

“I never shared that I was doing the show,” said Lafond. “I never let it be out there. That is not who I am. But Phil gave me recognition – he tagged me on Facebook. I was always happy to be doing this, but now I was very happy that it was out there.”

And grateful too.

“Rick Parker and Sue Parker, who are stunt coordinators, pushed me and believed in me. My wife and Dayna Hale – thanks to all of them, I have started this new adventure.”

Lafond’s years-long dedication to horse racing remains strong, perhaps, stronger than ever.

After a 2023 campaign that produced his first Woodbine stakes win – the milestone came with Canadiansweetheart in the Sweet Briar Too – and his first King’s Plate starter, Morstachy’s, Lafond had a tough 2024 season, winning once in 30 starts.

“I know it will get better. This is what the business is all about – good years and tough years, but you always move forward.

“There were a couple of owners where we had a mutual separation. I wanted to be honest and say for whatever reason, it wasn’t working with their horses. Kris [owner, Manohar] said, ‘No matter what, you will not get rid of me.’ We have become good friends as an owner/trainer combo. He is a true friend – we are like brothers.”

And then there are the family ties in Barn 5 on the Woodbine backstretch.

Lafond’s father, Nicholas, who was a trainer in the West Indies as well as an assistant trainer and a racing official in Ontario, will be part of the operation for the 2025 Woodbine racing season.

“My career started with my dad. He introduced me to horses in Barbados. When he moved to Canada, I was about six or seven years old, and I later joined him when I was eight. That’s when my passion and interest in the game really spiked.

Last year, my dad came to work with me. It was the toughest year I have had as a trainer, and I still don’t know why. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I can’t explain that year, but it opened my eyes a lot.”

Added Lafond, “I feel like I am going to get back to where I want to be this year.” ​ ​

Working with equine athletes is many things to Lafond.

“There is a joy and comfort they give me. They are like my children, each with their own personalities and mindsets, teaching me something new. My horses are also my go-to way of therapy. When I’m down or upset, I can turn to them for comfort.

“I know it may sound absurd, but they calm my soul better than anyone or anything. When I’m with them I feel alive. That’s why I do my best to keep them safe and happy.”

Just as Lafond ensures his equine co-stars are well cared for when the cameras start to roll on Fire Country or any of his other acting gigs.

The once-reluctant actor and dedicated horseman is enjoying every second of the thrill ride, on set and on the racetrack.

“Thoroughbreds are still my main passion. My goal is to win the King’s Plate one day, but now I have something else in my life that is associated with horses. As the years go by now, I won’t be hesitant to share anything with my acting and stunt work. I am proud of it.”

Chris Lomon, Woodbine