In Memoriam: Beverly Ann Lewis-Owens

By Emma Lewis-Owens

A beautifully kept farm, 30 acres sprawling with two homes, a classic red barn, fenced in paddocks, gorgeous green grass and the obvious, horses. The Lewis Family Farm located in Kleinburg, Ontario, purchased in 1955 by Bev’s parents and grandparents, the 30 acre family farm is where her legacy began and would be the place Bev would forever, call home.

Bev was raised around animals her whole life, whether it was dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, roosters, or horses, she was true to her nature, that being, a lover of animals. Her love of horses started at a young age with her pony learning how to ride. She always had a keen eye for horses as she started accompanying her parents and grandparents to Equestrian events, that they would be participating in, by either showing and/or presenting awards. She travelled all across Canada and the United States.

Bev would go on to become an accomplished rider herself. Winning multiple awards throughout her early years competing in a multitude of different events with her family and friends all by her side watching her succeed and take home the ribbon.

After living on her family farm and becoming experienced in her love of all those, equine. It wasn’t a wonder that she would meet and later start dating Steve Owens. After many years of working multiple jobs as a groom, hot walker, exercise rider, and more, Steve decided he wanted to become a trainer. In order to accomplish that dream, he had to find a partner who understood the lifestyle and had a true love for the animals, without a doubt that was Bev.

Once the decision was made, it was only the beginning from there. After many discussions between Bev and her mother, Milly, it was decided that because of their combined love of horses and Steve’s journey to further his career at Woodbine, they would create their own company to put down roots and become apart of the Woodbine Racing community. It was then, that Empress Stables began. It was created for the sole purpose of owning and eventually breeding thoroughbred horses that would be trained by Steve at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke.

Bev and her mom truly enjoyed the industry, as a whole. Whether it was on racing, the horses, the research they did on Bloodlines, their thoughts on buying, claiming and breeding horses or the names they were fond of. Their conversations could go on for hours. After a few years and the purchase of a few good horses, Bev, Mildred and Steve were able to create a stead that would only grow as the years went on. One of the first few horses on the farm that contributed to growth was Easy to Praise, Western Express and Geronimo’s Joy.

However, there was one horse that boosted the energy for Empress Stables and the Steve Owens barn at Woodbine, that was Highland Legacy. Highland Legacy was bought as a yearling at the Canadian Breeders Yearling sale in 1999, he would go on to start his Racing career at Woodbine in 2000 by winning his debut in a $50,000.00 Maiden Special Weight, after some added starts to his roster, he would go on to win both the $100,000.00 Simcoe and Swynford stakes along with the $250,000.00 Coronation Futurity stake. Those races would garner him the Sovereign Award in 2000 for Champion 2-year-old. This was an incredible feat for Empress Stables and Bev couldn’t have been prouder.

As the years went on, many incredible, stakes winning horses would be spawned on the Lewis Farm including but not limited to Legal Heir (Lord Carson & Easy to Praise), Dark ‘n Delicious (Candy Stripes & Easy to Praise), Moment of Peace (Explosive Red & Easy to Praise), Legal Ties (Louis Quatorze & Easy to Praise), Emma Ain’t Bluffin (Pine Bluff & Geronimo’s Joy), Dance with Joy (Dance Brightly & Geronimo’s Joy), Koonunga Hill (Wonneberg & Easy to Praise), Seffeara (Old Forester & Town Dance) Woodbine 4.5 FURLONG RECORD HOLDER, Athdara (Leonnatus Anteas & Town Dance) Fairy Hill (Sligo Bay & Koonunga Hill) & Poulin in OT (Reload & Town Dance).

The pride and joy Bev had for all the horses that funnelled through Empress stables and the family farm was unmatched. Her flock would spend their winters at the family farm and once the racing season began, they would ship back out to Woodbine. Only when they fulfilled their duties and were off enjoying retirement, they would spend the rest of their days grazing the paddocks on the family farm.

Bev was a private woman, but she wasn’t shy from being proud of all the relationships she fostered during her time with the Woodbine Community. It could be from trainers, owners, Jockeys and Agents too Blacksmiths, Vets and Valets. However, most importantly the incredible staff throughout Woodbine, many of which would become dear, life-long friends. Bev weathered many storms with class and grace, she shared in all her successes but most importantly she created long lasting friendships with those she found inevitably at Woodbine. She will be sorely missed by so many people who loved her fondly but she left behind a legacy of love and a wonderful circle of friends.