OSAS Pathways: West Grey Bay

TORONTO, January 16, 2025 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS).

This week’s installment belongs to West Grey Bay, a former racehorse who went on to thrive as an expert trail ride competitor, and Sarah Cuthbertson, the equestrian extraordinaire turned close companion who unlocked his potential.

After being profiled in 2022, Cuthbertson returns to provide an update on West Grey Bay’s journey and reflects upon her unbreakable bond with the now 18-year-old gelding.

Fun fact #1: West Grey Bay’s barn name is Westie.

Fun fact #2: West Grey Bay earned north of $85,000 over his 114-start racing career (15-8-20), all for breeder/owner/trainer Keith Hastie.

West Grey Bay (ON)

Foaled: February 11, 2008

Sire: Fiesty G G

Dam: Parkside Princess

Trainer: Keith Hastie

Owner: Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society

Breeder: Keith Hastie

OSAS Program Status: Graduated

How would you best describe your connection with Westie?

“Since we were last featured, I have been blessed to have purchased a small hobby farm –coincidentally in West Grey for which Westie is named. Having him live in my backyard has been wonderful. We aren’t riding nearly as much as we once did, but I can go out there any time to see him which is something I have dreamed about for years.

“Sometimes, he’s more interested in the hay, but every so often he wants to come over and just stand with me. He doesn’t want to be pat or to be physically connected, but he just wants to stand there and breathe with me. I think that is incredibly beautiful and it’s a different relationship than we had when we were working more.

“The other day too, I caught him stalking me as I was dragging the manure sled out to the pile through his paddock. I turned around and as surprised as I was to see him there, he looked equally surprised that he got caught.”

Since 2022, have you introduced Westie to any new disciplines and challenges beyond what he was doing then? 

“Anyone who has bought a farm knows that the riding time goes down as soon as you do. We have not been competing at all anymore, but we do get out to be weekend warriors on the trail and some camping expeditions.

“Since we bought the farm, I have been working with New Start Standardbreds as a trainer in their Reinventing Racehorses Challenge, so Westie doesn’t get as much attention from me, but he is so beloved by others, he gets his fill of adventures and gets to be a solid buddy for the green horses in training.

“He’s absolutely a star when it comes to that – as he is a star with most things. Having him there has definitely made trail training easy.”

How has Westie’s temperament and personality developed with more experience in the competition and riding spheres?

“He’s pretty much the same guy he always was. He can take a beginner out and care for them one day, and then I can blast him over a cross country course the next. He’s always up for anything and always gives it his best.”

What have you learned about yourself and horses through your bond with Westie?

“That is just too hard to sum up or specify. We are coming up on eight years together and he still teaches me tiny lessons daily. Most recently, he’s teaching me about aging with grace. Sometimes, I forget that he’s getting older, but like me, every so often I see hints of it. He’s teaching me to adjust my expectations for him as well as myself, but also how to celebrate the wins and appreciate everything we have left ahead of us.”

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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