Horse Person of the Month for July presented by New Holland: Paul Seymour

His life started with Standardbreds, then moved on to strikes and spares, before he found a treasured career amid the hustle and bustle of the shedrow.

Paul Seymour had an early introduction to racehorses growing up in Glace Bay, a tight-knit community of around 17,000 people that is found in the eastern part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia.

He took an immediate shine to the pacers and trotters his family raced at local racetracks.

“My dad had harness horses, my older brother, who just passed away, had harness horses, and so did my younger brother.”

That interest in racehorses stayed with Seymour when he left Nova Scotia and ventured west to Ontario over 40 years ago.

His first job in the new city he called home, however, had nothing do with the equine world.

“I worked in a bowling alley in Rexdale as a pin chaser after school,” recalled Seymour. “That was my first job.”

One that didn’t last long after he sat in the grandstand at Woodbine Racetrack for the first time.

“One weekend, I found the track and watched the races. That’s when I said to myself, ‘I’m going to quit the bowling alley and work at the racetrack on weekends.’”

Seymour kept his word.

His first racing job, a part-time gig as a groom, came in the barn of multiple stakes-winning conditioner Peter Di Pasquale.

Eleven years later, Seymour, who became a full-time groom in 1984, moved on to graded stakes-winning trainer Tony Mattine’s operation.

Working for the horseman who would win 576 career races before his passing in 2009 was a dream role for Seymour.

“Tony was a very good guy. I worked for him for nine years. I just paid attention and didn’t say much. He was a very smart horseman, so I was able to learn so much from him. He was very sharp and always did the right thing for the horses.

“Everybody who worked there had a very nice horse. I had four horses, and they were all very good ones.”

Just like Jet Freighter.

The grey son of Cozzene would go on to win 11 races and post 20 top-three finishes to go along with $537,210 in career purse earnings.

His tenacity on the racetrack was equaled by a fiery temperament off it.

“He was kind of tough and aggressive,” remembered Seymour. “He would bite a lot.”

Jet Freighter would also travel a lot.

“We went to Keeneland, Churchill, Calder, Hialeah – he took me to a lot of different places and a lot of different racetracks. I was younger, and I would go away with him for six weeks at a time, and it was always a great experience. It was something I loved.”

Seymour went on to work for Tony’s son, Mike Mattine, then Fenton Platts and Mike Wright, Jr.

“I worked for Mike [Mattine] right after I worked for his dad, for about three years. Then I worked for Fenton, who went on to be a steward. I worked for Mike Wright, Jr. as well.”

Five years ago, Seymour returned to Mike Mattine.

It is a busy but rewarding life.

“I get up at 3:30, I make a coffee and then I head to the barn. I get there around 4:15 and start mucking stalls and get the horses ready. They nicker at me as soon as I walk in. It’s a great sound to hear.”

Currently, Seymour has seven horses under his care.

“I don’t have a favourite. I like them all. They are like my kids, so you don’t choose one over the other.”

On race day, Seymour is typically seen, not heard, when he stands at the rail.

He has but one hope for his horses between the moment the gates open and when they cross the wire.

“I don’t get nervous when they run. I just wish that they run the best they can and then I get to take care of them after the race. They are wonderful, beautiful animals, and they are so athletic.”

In the aftermath of a win, Seymour will hand the reins, literally, to someone else on the way to the winner’s circle.

“Winning is a great feeling. Most times, I give the owner the horse to hold. They deserve to experience that moment. It’s nice to see how happy they are.”

It is the very definition of a team effort, noted Seymour.

“Everyone in the barn plays an important role and everyone loves being around the horses.”

Which is a big reason why retirement isn’t on Seymour’s radar for now.

It is a job that is no doubt right up his alley.

“I will do it until I can’t do it anymore. I still remember that first day I came to Woodbine. I was thrilled to find the horses and I knew from that moment this is where I wanted to be.”

Chris Lomon, Woodbine