TORONTO, February 7, 2025— For third-generation horse person Yvonne Schwabe, breeding and racing Thoroughbreds is not just a business – it’s a way of life. The owner and operator of Persley Den Farms (Acton, ON) and member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s Board of Directors has worked tirelessly to provide racehorses with the proper means to be successful before, during, and after their racing careers. Top performers to come out of Schwabe’s outfit over the years include champions Leonnatus Anteas, Embur’s Song, Conquest Typhoon, Conquest Tsunami, Grade 1 winner Daaher (2007 Cigar Mile Handicap), and 2013 Queen’s Plate victor Midnight Aria. Schwabe, a member of the Jockey Club of Canada and Woodbine Entertainment’s Thoroughbred advisory committee, talks about some of her career and personal highlights, past and present. Yvonne Schwabe Q: You’ve foaled and raised some very impressive horses over the years. Is there one in particular you have a special affinity for and why? A: “I’m very proud of breeding Midnight Aria because he won the Queen’s Plate, and Midnight Mascot – who is Midnight Aria’s nephew – was third in the King’s Plate last year. “Royal blood from two well-related horses.” Q: What advice, either from your parents or someone in the industry, has stayed with you to this day? A: “From my parents, it was to work hard, never give up, always believe, keep putting one foot ahead of the other, and remain dedicated. “You also have to be prepared to endure the ups and downs. In our business, the highs are very high, and the lows are very low. There’s not a lot of middle ground. So, you have to really appreciate the highs, manage the lows, and balance as best you can.” Midnight Mascot and jockey Patrick Husbands winning the Woodstock Stakes on April 28, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) Q: Talk about your first foal of the year. What in particular has you excited about that filly? A: “She’s by a very promising young sire, Jack Christopher, who’s a very fast individual by Munnings. We really believe in the horse. We have two mares in foal to him – the dam (Midnight Embrace) of Midnight Mascot is in foal to him – and we’re also breeding back to him. We really believe in him. It’s the first foal out of the mare. She came a couple weeks early, but she’s lovely. She’s very correct, and we’re excited about her.” Q: What does it mean to you to join the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance? A: “I’m very proud to be on the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance because it’s vital to our industry. We have to make sure that our horses have a safe place to land when they finish racing. “We’re a non-profit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations, and they follow up with re-training and re-homing, etc. We’re the governing body, and it’s truly very important to me and it should be to the entire industry.” Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? A: “I’m incredibly proud of my horses, incredibly proud. When they go on to sell well and do well for whoever that may be, it’s like my children doing well. I wish nothing better for them than to succeed. Often people will say, ‘Are you sad you sold this one, or you didn’t keep this one?’ No, no, no, no, no. I’m really happy when they do well. It’s always nicer when they sell well and do well. If you struggle, and have one that doesn’t sell well, it almost hurts your feelings a little bit. “I’m incredibly proud of that. My horses are my first love and being a part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance follows right up with it.” Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
