OSAS Pathways: Emilleah

TORONTO, July 8, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).

This week’s installment belongs to Emilleah, the recently retired pacer with a sunny disposition and magnetic charm.

The 4-year-old bay’s glowing personality has been on full display throughout her five weeks with Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ontario.

Susan couldn’t help but praise the effervescent Emilleah.

“She has very kind eyes; they attract you very quickly,” she said. “When she looks at you, she almost makes you melt.”

Fun fact #1: Emilleah’s dam, Triple Charm, is a half-sister to Roll With Jr (1:50.4; $386,205), Oneisalonelynumber (1:50.1; $278,477), and Cougar Bait (1:51.1; $216,721). The immediate family also includes revered pacer Glowing Report ($2.3 million) and 2009 North America Cup champion Well Said ($2.6 million).

Fun fact #2: Our Heart, the first foal out of Emilleah’s half-sister (Summerweiss) is owned by Tara Hills Stud farm manager Matthew Harrison, who bred Emilleah, trainer Mike Wade, and Annemarie Colville – sister of OSAS administrator Joanne Colville.

Emilleah (ON)

Foaled: April 9, 2022

Sire: Dancin Lou

Dam: Triple Charm

Trainer: Rod Boyd (most recent)

Owner: Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

Breeder: Matthew Harrison

OSAS Program Status: In training

What have you come to learn about Emilleah during your short time together?

“She is the sweetest girl you’re ever going to meet,” said Susan. “She’s been shown a lot of affection, so she craves a lot of affection, which is a really good quality in a young horse because you will feel that.

“She’s the first one to come to you and she gets along great with our other horses. She’s been with St. Lad’s Flirt and Outlaw Fire N Ice, and has a great relationship with them. She’s in love with my horses because they share a fence line.

“She’s still young, so she’s very accepting of everything. She’s not like an older mare that is more dominating. She’s a very social, happy-go-lucky girl.”

By all accounts, she’s adapted to training with Bert very well. Tell us about her progress and what the next steps are.

“She’s had more playtime than she would if the temperature weren’t so scorching hot. She absolutely loves being sprayed with the hose. I can go out there right now with the hose and spray her down, which is cool because you’re bringing a totally different obstacle out and she comes straight over and loves having that done.

“Bert had absolutely no problem starting her under saddle and riding her. She responded instantly to it. She started in the Xtreme paddock, which we’ve moved outside, so it’s a course with all these obstacles and a small bush.

“She’s very eager, interested, and curious, but she’s not afraid.”

Based on what you’ve seen so far, what kind of second career or home do you think would suit her best? 

“She would be perfect for somebody who wants to do any kind of riding – trail riding, English style, dressage – but she would also suit western pleasure. Right now, she’s an open book who can go into any discipline.

“As she gets into her second career with the perfect match, she’s going to still be happy-go-lucky and keep having fun. She didn’t spend a whole lot of years racing to have that sports-oriented, competitive mindset. She has a pleasure-first mind where life is great.”

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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.

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.

Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at osashorses@gmail.com or call 905-339-6748 for more information.

Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park