by Chris Lomon

When it comes to her horse racing experiences, mom is the word for Arianne Girard.

The horsewoman from Trois-Rivières, QC, found an ideal role model for both life and career right at home.

“You could say I was literally born into the world of racehorses,” Girard said. “My mother, Marie-Claude Auger, is an excellent driver and trainer. My father, Claude Girard, is no longer in the industry but he was a driver and trainer of horses himself. So, you could say I have always been surrounded by horses and the passion came naturally to me.

“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to become like my mother and one day train and drive my own horses.”

Auger has been a driving — and training — force for years.

With 650 wins as a driver and 286 as a trainer, Auger is just over 60 wins away from 1,000 combined career victories.

It’s no surprise that Arianne is hoping to emulate her mother’s career arc.

“I would like to one day have several horses in training and drive them myself, just like my mother,” Arianne said. “She is my idol, and I can’t see myself doing anything other than having my own stable.”

Arianne currently has one horse under her tutelage, Sundance Leyo.

Bred and owned by her grandmother, Denise Auger, the 4-year-old son of Sunshine Beach – Sans Frontiere has three wins and 16 top three finishes from 41 starts.

The gelding’s most recent trip to the winner’s circle came last October at Rideau Carleton, a 14-1 upset that saw Sundance Leyo elevated from second to first in the opening dash on the Sunday evening card.

Arianne has driven the bay in amateur races, including a second at Ayers Cliff (in QC) last August.

“Driving him in the amateur races is fine with me, but eventually, in a few years, getting my professional driver’s licenses is in my plans,” Arianne said.

Another horse, also a bay gelding, delivered Arianne one of her most thrilling racing moments to date.

On Sept. 23, 2023, Mister Truth, a well-travelled son of Total Truth—Miss AJ Ponda, took on three rivals in an amateur race at Ormstown – the racetrack is approximately one hour southwest of Montreal and 20 minutes north of New York State.

The pair crossed the wire a half-length ahead of their closest rival, which capped off a treasured trifecta for Arianne.

“He was my first horse, with whom I had my first victory as owner, trainer, and driver, all in the same day at the Quebec fairs,” she said. “Unfortunately, I no longer have him, but I will never forget him.”

Later that same year, the filly Sensi Amnesia, bred, owned, and driven by Auger, delivered a memorable milestone score.

“She won the 2-year-old finals at the 3R racecourse in 2023 – it was our first victory in a final,” Arianne said. “She is a filly that my mother raised. It was a very emotional day… she even managed to make us cry that day.”

Then there is the diminutive filly Chic Choc Rose.

The 3-year-old trotting daughter of Royalty For Life—Torches Angel had a brilliant rookie campaign in 2024. In five starts, the bay won three times and posted one third.

Arianne co-owns Chic Choc Rose with her mother, who bred the horse that has a white left hind ankle.

“She’s a tiny filly, but she gives her all in every race,” Arianne said. “I’m lucky enough to take care of her when she races, and her first year racing was a success. She never ceased to impress me start after start, and I hope her 2025 will be just as successful.”

It already has been for Arianne.

Earlier this year, she was honored as Quebec’s Groom of the Year.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Arianne said. “In my opinion, all four nominees could have won this award. I was surprised that I was nominated, but I was very happy. It’s very pleasing to see all the hard work and good care I give to the horses being rewarded. I love my job; the well-being and success of the horses in my care are my priority.”

Continuing to move her racing career forward is another goal for 2025.

Arianne’s future ambitions are clear: to continue developing as a trainer, to refine her driving skills, and to work towards managing her own stable.

“I hope my horses continue to perform, both those I train myself and those I care for, whether it be for my mother or my employer, Marc-André Simoneau,” she said. “I also look forward to the fairs, where I love driving, even though there aren’t many of them during the year.”

Arianne’s greatest satisfaction is in watching the horses she’s connected to succeed on race night.

“There is nothing more rewarding than taking care of horses and seeing them perform well afterwards,” Arianne said. “I work hard to ensure the horses I care for are at their best, whether on the farm or at the races. I love my job; I’m at the barn seven days a week. There’s no other place that I like to spend my days and I never miss a day of racing.”

Free time is at a premium, but long days at the barn are never viewed in a negative light.

“These moments are rare, but when I have free time, I like to spend time with my family, watch hockey or even play video games,” she said. “I also love photography. If I hadn’t been in the horse field, I probably would have gone for a job in photography.”

Arianne is grateful to be immersed in racing, a picture-perfect world where she has always felt at home.

Though it was family history that introduced her to standardbreds, she developed her own personal connection to the sport, one that has continued to grow with each racing season.

She is grateful for those who set the foundation for her own success.

“My family are the people who have helped me the most, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my grandparents and my mother,” Arianne said. “I will always be grateful to them for everything they have done for me. My mother was the one who taught me everything and helped me buy my first horse. My grandparents trust me with their horse and let me drive it. I can never thank them enough.”