A humbled Frank Barroby named to Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

"I knew I was in the running but never thought I'd make it"

VANCOUVER, May 19 /CNW/ - It took a mid-morning telephone call from his brother Harold to convince long-time Hastings Racecourse trainer Frank Barroby that he had, indeed, been elected into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

"I knew I was in the running but never thought I'd make it," a humble but jubilant 66-year-old Frank Barroby said upon hearing the news. "This really is quite a thrill to be in the same company of so many outstanding people. This is such an honour."

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame announced its 2010 inductees made up of six horses and four individuals. The thoroughbred class of 2010 included Barroby and builder Mel Lawson, as well as Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop, multiple stakes winner Victorian Era and Lady Angela, one of the most influential dams in breeding history.

Barroby, one of 12 children born on a family ranch in Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan, remains the only person to be both leading rider and leading trainer in the history of racing at Hastings. He rode the Prairie circuit - Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Lethbridge and Saskatoon - before moving to Ontario and finally settling in Vancouver in 1968.

It was in that inaugural season at Hastings when he won 91 races, 18 more than Basil Frazier to capture the leading jockey title. "I had nine great years of riding at Hastings and I hated to quit," Barroby says. "I finally had to give it up when weight became an issue. Then the late Bob Hall of Kamloops gave me a chance to get into training and I loved it." Barroby was top trainer at Hastings in 1986, 1990 and 1993 and remains active. "I still get excited about getting up early and heading for the track," he says. "I love it as much as ever."

Here's how the official Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame release referred to Barroby: "He dominated racing on the prairie circuit as a jockey, winning titles in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. He was second in Canada in 1965. Three times he was the leading trainer at Hastings. He is the first B.C.-based trainer to be elected to Canada's Hall of Fame. Barroby is also a member of the BC Thoroughbred Hall of Fame."

Hastings Racecourse management congratulates Frank, his wife Lynn, and children Darcy and Jodie. "We are proud to have them as part of our racing family, " Hastings GM Raj Mutti said. "The Barroby name is respected in the industry throughout North America."

Hastings Racecourse is presenting its initial four-day consecutive run of the 2010 season with Friday Night Live on May 21 (7:00 p.m.), Saturday and Sunday afternoons (1:40 p.m.) and the Holiday Monday - Victoria Day, May 24 - at 1:40 p.m.

For further information: Howard Blank: VP Communications, Entertainment and Responsible Gaming, [phone]; Raj Mutti: GM Hastings Racecourse & Slots, [phone]