by Chris Lomon

Whether it’s on the racetrack, in the rodeo ring, or throwing darts, Tyson Jacoby has a knack for hitting the bull’s eye.

Admittedly soft-spoken, the likable standardbred driver certainly has plenty to talk about, good, bad, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and almost everything in between, when it comes to his life and career.

Yet, through it all, Jacoby has always found a way to endure and excel.

“You need to keep your head up,” he said. “There will be times in your life when you have to face unexpected things, but it’s important to go forward the best you can.”

Horses have played an integral role in his life for as long as he can remember.

His father, Gary Woolsey, worked with both thoroughbreds and standardbreds, eventually focusing on the latter.

“My mom and dad were into horses,” Jacoby said. “My dad, sister and I moved to Alberta when I was 3. My dad worked with both breeds when there was Northlands Park and Stampede Park in the province.

“One year, I can’t quite recall who he was working for at the time, he was making decent money and they wanted him to stay with them. That meant he was moving around a lot, so he went with the standardbreds full time.”

Jacoby’s friendship with harness racing driver and trainer Mike Hennessy would play a huge role in the former’s foray into the sport.

It would also change his life away from the racetrack.

In May 1995, he moved in with the Hennessys.

“When my dad started traveling with standardbreds, Mike’s dad, Rod, and his wife at the time, Liz, took me in and adopted me, so I had a steady place to live,” Jacoby said. “Basically, I was born and raised on the racetrack.”

Jacoby, whose parents both passed away, worked for Rod, who holds status as one of Alberta’s all-time top trainers and drivers.

Working for the man who trains and co-owns standouts like Western Canadian preferred superstar pacer Shark Week was an ideal learning environment for the aspiring horseman.

Although it was a difficult decision, Jacoby left the industry for a time at the age of 21 when he welcomed a son.

“I got a factory job and then I got my heavy equipment ticket and Class 1 to operate heavy machinery,” he said. “I did a lot of odds and ends types of jobs.”

He also earned money, albeit not much, competing at local rodeos.

After he was hurt in the ring, Jacoby, whose long list of injuries includes multiple concussions, a broken neck, broken legs, and broken ankles, reconsidered his future by turning to his past.

“I started riding steers when I was around 12 or 13,” he said. “I took a few years off — I got hurt quite a bit — and then I got back into it. I was running short on cash, so I thought to myself, ‘I can always get back into horse racing.’”

So, after a few contemplative moments, he did just that.

It would prove to be a winning move.

Jacob’s racing journey has taken him from Ontario to Alberta, and most recently, British Columbia.

He made seven trips to the winner’s circle in his rookie 2022 season.

“I was hoping to get 100 drives that first season,” he said. “I got my license late, and I left to go work for Casie [Coleman] in Florida, so I ended up with 84 drives. But it started out well and when I came back, I eventually decided to try my luck in B.C. and things ended up taking off once I went out there.”

Jacoby recorded 22 victories and $136,906 in purse earnings last year.

This season, he’s on track for a career-best year.

He points to the decision to test out the B.C. racing scene as integral in furthering his career.

“Being in British Columbia has really helped me out,” he said. “I have reached all the goals I set for myself last year. Hopefully, I can reach even bigger ones this year.

“When I first got out here, I was fortunate that a lot of people used me to drive for them. That helped a lot. I get along very well with a majority of the horses I drive. I like them all.”

Two of his top horses come in the form of Kootenay Cocoa, a 3-year-old pacing daughter of Beren Hanover, and Chasing Bismarck, a 6-year-old pacing son of Mystery Chase.

“I have been able to drive a lot of nice horses out here, one of them being Kootenay Cocoa, who won eight in a row,” Jacoby said. “Chasing Bismarck, who was claimed a little while ago, I enjoyed driving him. He is one of a few horses who you can swing three high around the last turn at Fraser Downs and make up ground instead of losing it.”

Competing on Canada’s West Coast, specifically, the five-eighths Fraser Downs oval, has also done wonders for Jacoby’s confidence.

He’s learned, among many things, how to maintain a patient hand in the race bike.

“You don’t have to move so early here,” he said. “You can wait for that right moment. Obviously, timing is everything in this sport, so learning when to move and when to stay put is important.”

After spending most of his summer in Alberta, Jacoby is now back in B.C.

The Fraser Downs fall meet starts on Sept. 12.

It has become a home away from home for the man who once tangled with steers and bulls.

“I drove a horse in a $100,000 race at Fraser Downs for Donna Cunningham last year,” Jacoby said. “I had two driving triples at Fraser Downs, including one last September on my birthday weekend.”

Fraser Downs isn’t the only track where Jacoby has made a name for himself.

“[High-profile driver and trainer] Kelly Hoerdt called and asked me to drive one in a $105,000 race this year at Century Downs,” Jacoby said. “Being in the $100,000 race in B.C. and that one in Calgary were amazing to be part of. I didn’t win them, but I was in them and part of them. People can see me and you never know what can come of it.”

Goals, for the most part, are not grandiose in nature.

“I would like to say I could drive in the North America Cup one day, but I don’t know if that would ever happen,” he said. “Little goals – those are the ones I focus on.

“I try to set a yearly goal for myself and try to achieve that to the best of my ability. In the long term, I would like to get more drives. I want to drive at Hoosier Park, even if it is just once. I watch that track a lot. It has a beautiful look to it.”

Jacoby has an eye-catching look of his own.

His driving colors are an homage to many.

“I got my inspiration for them from [driver] Andrew McCarthy,” Jacoby said. “They are his design other than the stars – I went with diamonds. When I was little, I wanted to be a jockey, and my colors were going to be baby blue and purple. But you don’t get to pick your own colors with the thoroughbreds.

“I always liked purple. My dad’s colors, when he owned horses, were black and green with diamonds. The Hennessys have diamonds too. I ended up going with orange and purple and I think it worked out well.”

Although his colors are somewhat flashy, the man who wears them is quite the opposite.

“I am a quiet guy, and I like to stay to myself for the most part,” he said.

There is, however, a newfound interest in his life.

Although it doesn’t offer the same adrenaline rush as piloting a nearly 1,000-pound racehorse or riding a 1,500-pound bull, it does require an accurate eye and patient hand.

“When I came to BC, I started getting into playing darts,” he said. “I enjoy it a lot.”

Another welcome opportunity for Jacoby to be right on target.