Facebook made Willow Castellan’s horse dream come true

by Chris Lomon

Willow Castellan always wanted to work with horses.

Growing up on her family farm in Fergus, a picturesque and historic town in Wellington County about a 90-minute drive from Toronto, she was surrounded by animals. There were creatures great and small everywhere she looked, but there was one notable exception.

There were no horses.

“We had just about every type of animal except horses,” Castellan said. “Of course, I wanted to work with horses, so I looked at finding ways to make that a reality.”

She never imagined that a social media post would be the thing that finally brought her childhood dream to life or that it would lead her into the world of standardbred racing.

“I went on Facebook looking for a job and noticed that Chirs Matthews [longtime assistant trainer to Gregg McNair] posted a job, so I messaged him and we set up a time to meet,” she said.

Castellan’s first order of business ahead of the meeting was to do some homework.

She was aware that standardbred racing existed, but knew little more about it.

“Before I messaged Chris, I didn’t know much about the industry at all,” Castellan said. “I knew horse racing existed, but at that time, I didn’t know how awesome it was. I didn’t grow up knowing anyone in the business.”

Castellan, then 18, was understandably nervous ahead of the interview.

Those emotions were momentarily heightened when she started walking the property with Matthews.

“When Chris was showing me around the farm, he showed me a harness,” she said. “I remember looking at it, thinking, ‘I am never going to figure this out.’ And he said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get it soon enough.’ I wasn’t so sure, but it ended up being simpler than I thought.”

Apprehension and anxiousness soon gave way to a calm and collected demeanor.

Castellan landed the job.

“Honestly, a lot of it blew me away,” she said. “One of my first horses was a stud. I was petrified. I had no idea that people worked with studs. But he was the sweetest horse ever. His name is Enforcer and I just bonded with him right away.

“I remember my first few days, they would tell me, ‘Just walk that horse.’ I thought, ‘I get to walk this horse?’ It was crazy, but it has become such a normal part of my life now.”

Three years after that first day on the farm, Castellan has become a valued member of the McNair operation, tasked with caring for horses ranging from overnight pacers and trotters to stakes-caliber talent.

One of her favorites is Aceandaten, a 2-year-old daughter of Cattlewash out of the He’s Watching mare Dreamin Girl, who won her OSS Gold leg on Oct. 3 and was a hard-charging second in the OSS Gold Super Final on Oct. 10.

The emerging talent, who is owned by Willow’s father, Jason Castellan, has a big presence in the barn.

“I love her so much,” Willow said. “She is my princess. She has a really big personality and she is definitely not the easiest horse to look after. That might be partially my fault because I spoil her and let her get away with a little too much.

“There has always been something about a sassy pacing filly that I love. She has come a long way this season. We have put a lot of work into her. The whole team has done a lot with her, so it’s nice to see all that teamwork pay off.”

The OSS Gold leg triumph is a treasured career highlight.

“I was on cloud nine,” Willow said. “I called all my friends after. My mom wasn’t able to make it, but she was cheering me on from home and called to congratulate me. Having my grandparents and my dad in the winner’s circle was really special, along with Gregg, Doug, and Chris – it was so special to me.

“I have probably watched that race 15 times. I was so proud of her.”

Willow has asked her father for one promise regarding Aceandaten.

“I told my dad probably a million times that he can never sell her – she is mine forever,” Willow said. “We’ll build her a big paddock and she’s coming home with me.”

Then there is Atlas Ross, a son of Big Jim out of the Artsplace mare Kisskissbangbang, owned by Jim Ross.

The bay colt’s personality is the opposite of his barnmate Aceandaten.

“Atlas Ross, he is just like a little puppy dog,” Willow said. “I love him, too. He has been amazing. Winning with him this year has been incredible as well.

“I like looking after Jim Ross’s horses. There is nothing better than an owner who loves his horses and truly cares. He comes out to the farm to see his horses, and you can see how happy he is to be around them. The first horse I fell in love with was one he owned, Wicked Jenny. She wasn’t much of a racehorse, but he loves her the same as he does all his horses.”

As for her career path, Willow isn’t certain what the future holds.

There is one guarantee, however.

“I adore the horses and I can’t see myself not having them in my life,” she said. “I probably won’t be a caretaker forever. It’s a lot of work and outside of the world, I consider myself a big people person. I value my family and friends. Working so much, I don’t get to spend as much time as I’d like with my grandparents, for example, which is tough.

“I am so lucky to have a supportive family. They all love coming to watch the races. My nanna knows when my horses are in before I do.”

When it comes to the most rewarding part of the job — she has a long list to draw from — Willow points to the family-like atmosphere she has come to know over the past three years.

“The McNair team welcomed me with open arms, and I met some of my best friends through racing,” she said. “Chris Matthews and his daughter Nyssa are wonderful. Luisa Surette is like a second mom to me. She is super special to me.”

It’s one of many reasons why Willow is grateful that her dream of one day working with horses became a reality – even if it wasn’t exactly how she envisaged.

“I consider myself one of the luckiest girls in the world,” she said.