by Victoria Howard

Born in Sudbury, ON, Natasha Steacy’s grandfather Flo Rivest began toting her to the barn before she could even walk.

Steacy’s entire family on both her mother and father’s side were involved in harness racing, so it was no surprise that when she got older she would continue her family’s legacy of racing standardbreds.

Most people in the business only dream of working with a horse like the one Steacy cares for. That horse is the great Sylvia Hanover, the Breeders Crown winner two years in a row. Sylvia won the prestigious race as a 2-year-old and 3-year-old.

Sylvia Hanover was one of the best horses in harness racing in both 2022 and 2023. As a 2-year-old the wicked fast filly, known for her periodic antics on the track, was named a Dan Patch and O’Brien winner, ending the year by winning her Breeders Crown elimination and final. The daughter of Always B Micki—Shyaway is trained by Shawn Steacy and his wife Natasha is Sylvia’s caretaker.

Continuing to make headlines on Feb. 3, 2024, Sylvia Hanover was named the Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year at the O’Brien Awards and also named the Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year.

“I don’t train Sylvia but I’m her caretaker which allows me to spend more time with her than anyone else,” Natasha said. “She has been with us since Sylvia’s owners Tony and Betty Infilise purchased her as a yearling in Harrisburg.

“Sylvia is a very special horse and definitely the queen of the barn who deserves nothing but the very best. She lives in ‘the penthouse,’ which is a double stall with three windows and is very lovable until she goes to the track, then she knows it’s time to work. It actually takes a few of us just to harness her.

“Sylvia is a typical filly for she definitely has a mind of her own and is quite stubborn. If she doesn’t want to do something she won’t, but when you have a horse as fast and good as she is you put up with the antics.

Needless to say, Sylvia Hanover is Natasha’s favorite horse.

“It’s been quite a pleasure taking care of her the last two years and making all the wonderful memories,” Natasha said. “I may never get to enjoy all of this with another horse again, for horses like Sylvia are one in a million.

“My husband Shawn and I work together. Shawn’s father Mark Steacy is a renowned trainer and we all work together. It’s a family business. Shawn and I have the horses at First Line Training Center and Shawn’s brother Clark and his wife Cara work at the home barn in Lansdowne. They break the colts and then they are sent to Shawn and I. It gets a bit hectic for Mark for he has to go back and forth to make sure everything is going correctly. Currently Shawn and I train about 40 horses at First Line Training Center and the other 20 are with Mark and Kathy.”

Natasha also has a training license.

“I have my trainer’s license and always trained on my own but when Shawn and I got married we merged our talents and stable,” she said. “I am down as an owner and he is down as trainer, but we work together as one.”

Natasha and Shawn race mostly at Mohawk, but also race at smaller tracks as well.

“This past year we raced a lot in the United States,” Natasha said.

The weather this winter has not been the best in Canada, but Natasha takes it in stride.

“I don’t think it’s more difficult to train in Canada during the winter,” she said. “The only thing is we have to pick and choose training days. Our horses really don’t miss too many days like people might think.”

Just like she was as a child, Natasha’s 12-year-old son Lucas is very much involved.

“He loves jogging and working with the horses and any opportunity he gets to go on the track, he is there,” she said, adding with a laugh, “I think he likes jogging so he can talk to everyone on the track. Lucas also has a mini that he drives and races in a series called The Young Gunz.”

Natasha and Shawn also own horses of their own.

“We have a broodmare that we breed and keep the foals hopefully to race,” Natasha said. “They are kept at Winbak Farm in Ontario where they do an amazing job. The other horses we get come from sales or are owner’s homebreds.”

Natasha has high hopes for all the horses they have in the barn this year.

“I wish they could all go out and do great things but I’m realistic,” she said. “Getting another Sylvia is a hard act to follow. Of course, I’m hoping for another super year for Sylvia and for her full brother to follow in her footsteps.”

Sylvia had a nice well-deserved vacation but is now back in the barn and back to work.

“She looks good and is so easy on herself,” Natasha said. “She’s a pleasure to work with until she throws one of her hissy fits and wants to do it her way, but I’m fine with that and as far as I’m concerned, she can do whatever she wants.

“Our plan is for her hopefully to continue her fabulous career, as I’m sure her owners Tony and Betty will have her staked to the best.”

Note: I would like to thank everyone who has written acknowledging and positive comments on the stories I write in Superstar Females of Harness Racing. When I started this column several years ago the purpose was to honor every single woman in the business that devotes their time, energy and love for the horses. Every single woman is a superstar and deserves to have their story told. As it was said long ago “We’ve come a long way ladies!” Kudos to each and every one of you.