Harness racing gave Jacqueline Grundy a career and a husband
by Chris Lomon
Jacqueline Grundy had no inclination that the late summer afternoon would yield a treasured double.
Six years ago, in her rookie training campaign, she had yet to win a race. As the season wore on, the Manitoba horsewoman had resigned herself to the reality that the milestone might not come until the following year.
So, when she travelled to Miami Fair, an 80-minute drive southwest of the province’s capital and most populous city, Winnipeg, on Sept. 8 of that year, Grundy did not expect her fortunes to change.
But they would.
She watched hopefully as Mod Mod Man, with Chris Brown in the sulky, went straight to the front in the five-horse field that was assembled for the sixth race at the half-mile oval located on grounds that also host a fair and a rodeo.
On top by 1½ lengths with a quarter-of-a-mile to go, the pacing son of Bunkmeister (AB) out of the Jate Lobell mare Mod Mod World held sway, posting a one-length score to deliver Grundy her first training win.
“I was very ecstatic getting that first win,” she said. “It was near the end of the season, and I was starting to think it wasn’t going to happen for me that year. It ended up being a memorial race, which made it even more special.”
As was the reception that awaited her after the clicking of the camera to capture the moment.
“On the way back from the winner’s circle, people had gathered around with water buckets and splashed me,” she said. “But it was a very hot day, so I didn’t mind at all.”
Her day, however, was only getting started.
Three races later, Grundy sent out Dragons Paradise, a son of Custard The Dragon (AB) out of the Artsplace mare Beyond Paradise.
She had little reason to believe the brown gelding, bred in Alberta by Allan Neurauter, would deliver another picture-perfect result.
“I honestly didn’t expect it to happen because it was going to be the horse’s last race,” Grundy said. “He was showing signs that he wasn’t interested in racing anymore.
“All of the sudden, he goes out and wins. I looked at my husband and said, ‘So, do we keep him now?’ It was a great day.”
There have been others since then.
Three years after her cherished double, Grundy experienced the biggest highlight of her career — one she shared with her husband, driver Tyler Grundy.
“In the spring of 2022, we were racing in Saskatoon, at Marquis Downs,” she said. “I had about 10 horses there. I was staying at a hotel in Saskatoon, and my husband would come out there on the weekends. We had some amazing horses during the short meet.”
One of them was Pure Addition.
The son of Riverboat King (AB) out of the Artsplace mare China Art was at the top of his game on May 29, 2022.
So, too, were the Grundys.
“Pure Addition ended up winning the $7,500 Steve Schedlosky Grand Finale Pace,” Jacqueline said. “That was a big moment for my husband, and I was so happy to train a horse who could get it done for him. I ended up being the top trainer and Tyler was the top driver at the meet.”
Their most recent win together came on Oct. 5 at The Loop, the half-mile oval in Winnipeg, MB.
And what a win it was.
With Tyler at the controls, Shirley Wicked, a 3-year-old daughter of McWicked out of the Mister Big mare Big Shir, went straight to the front and never looked back, going on to post a 16¾-length score in 2:03.
“That was a very nice win for Tyler and me,” Jacqueline said. “We had made some equipment changes on her — things I had wanted to try but was a little nervous to do — but we have such a short racing season in Manitoba, so making changes can be a roll of the dice. If it doesn’t work, you only have around eight more chances.
“We decided to take her hood completely off and no plugs. It really woke her up. She left strong off the gate and didn’t look back.”
Down the lane, Jacqueline had only one thought.
“I was feeling very proud, but at the same time, I was thinking, ‘Please don’t break stride,’” she said. “When we first got this horse, she had a tendency to break, but by the end of the season, she was a lot more confident in herself. Seeing her and Tyler ahead that far was an amazing feeling.”
A moment that took her back in time, to the day she discovered horse racing and caught the eye of a local horseman.
“When I was 17, I went to the races in Glenboro [MB] with a friend,” she said. “I had never been around racing before. We watched the races and hung out with a few people afterwards. That’s the evening I met my husband. I started coming around to the races every weekend and hanging out with him. Now, 18 years later, here we are.”
And they remain in their shared happy place.
“I really enjoy when my husband and I break yearlings together,” Jacqueline said. “The first year we did that was with AK Up N Attem. He ended up winning all his stakes races that year – it was a great accomplishment.
“This year, we are taking a break from the yearlings. Every once and a while, you need a winter off. I love working with my husband. Most of the days, it’s just me working in the barn, but he’s probably the only person I don’t get sick of – it works out perfectly.”
When they aren’t in the barn or tending to their horses, the couple can be found casting lines throughout the year.
“We are very big into fishing,” Jacqueline said. “When the horses are done racing on Saturdays and we have turned them out, we go fishing on Sundays. During the off-season, ice-fish as much as we can.”
When racing season gets underway, they share the same objective.
“I don’t worry about goals,” she said. “I want to make sure Tyler and I are both having fun. That’s the main thing, that we are still both enjoying what we are doing.”
Which is one reason as to why their stable will be pared down in 2026.
“I will take on a few less horses next year,” Jacqueline said. “Tyler works full time as a roofer, so it’s demanding, coming home and doing all the shoeing. A couple of years ago, I had around 8-10 horses and that was quite a lot of work. This year, we will try to have around four.
“Everyone here is very passionate about the industry. Here, you don’t make money doing it. Instead, it is a hobby, but one you have to work hard at. A lot of horses from Manitoba go to other racetracks and do amazing, so that is nice to see.”
Jacqueline will still have a bird’s-eye view of her horses — however many she has — every day of the week.
Her vantage point is about as front row as it gets.
“Right from my kitchen, I can see into the barn and see all the horses in there,” she said. “I love it. I don’t have to leave my yard – the racetrack is right across from our house. It’s a beautiful view.”
