TORONTO, January 29, 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 Sweet Deisel, an accomplished retired racehorse who was recently adopted out of the program. The bay with over $355,000 in prizes on his resume has spent the last few months working with Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ontario. Susan, who plays a recurring role in this series, offers a window into Sweet Deisel as he embarks on his next chapter with good friend Stetson Seelster by his side. “He’s going at the end of February to his new forever home and he’s going with Stetson Seelster. The two boys are going together. Two wonderful women have adopted both of them, so they’re going to the same farm to live and do everything together.” Fun fact #1: Sweet Deisel’s barn name is Deisel. Fun fact #2: Sweet Deisel is the first foal of his dam, Gentlemens Delight, who has four offspring with $100,000-plus earned from six eligible foals. Fun fact #3: Sweet Deisel’s mare, Gentlemens Delight, is a full sister to $1.5 million earner and two-time Dan Patch Award winner See You At Peelers. Sweet Deisel Foaled: March 1, 2016 Sire: Sweet Lou Dam: Gentlemens Delight Trainer: Garry Merner (most recent) Owner: Brandon Chiarot Breeder: Albert Crawford, Michelle Crawford OSAS Program Status: Recently Adopted Sweet Deisel and driver James MacDonald winning Race 3 on June 17, 2024 (New Image Media) What have you come to learn about Sweet Deisel during your time together? “Deisel is a gentleman. Since the day he came here, he’s been sweet, kind, and respectful – he’s an all-round perfect gentleman. With Stetson being younger, Deisel is like the big brother – very sensible. “Stetson’s a curious George, he’s in everything. Deisel, he’s actually in my overflow stall, so every time I have to go get feed, hay, anything, I have to walk through his stall. He’s just like, ‘Okay mom, okay dad, I’ll take the dogs around. I’ll do whatever.’ Nothing bothers him. You can do anything with him. He’s very easy going.” How has his confidence grown while working with Bert? “Oh, wonderfully. He’s very eager. You could tell from his background that he was well loved and trained, but I’m guessing from his personality, it made it very easy for him to be worked with and raced. “When he came here and we started doing what we’re doing, he was on board with it all right away.” He had an excellent first career on the racetrack. What do you think awaits him in his next chapter? “He’s going to be absolutely amazing for these women. We had Deisel and Stetson in together for the first time and Bert rode each one before anybody else. We always do that so potential adopters can see how the horse is, if it’s something they feel comfortable riding, and see how the horse performs. “Both women rode each of them and they instantly bonded together. They want to be able to go out, love them and groom them. They have 100 acres, so they’re just going to trail ride on their own property. They have big fields for turnout and pasture, and they get to watch the traffic go by and just be loved. “Deisel will be there to teach Stetson. He’s a teacher and he’s also a really good student. Whatever these women want to do, he will be very receptive to it.” * 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 Share This:Share
