One year into retirement, Ernie Evans decided to fulfill a life-long dream and get into the business of horses. That was in 1996.
Ten years later, what started with one unproven stud (Top Secret Formula, whose son went on to win nine titles by the time he was five years old) has turned into a full-fledged Thoroughbred training centre.
Known as Eagle Hill Farms Thoroughbred Training Centre, the Evans’ operation encompasses a 3/8-mile track, 31-stall barns, inside and outside training round pens, a hot walker, and a training starting gate. There are also 12 one- to four-acre paddocks, 12 40-ft. turnout pens, 90 to 120 acres of sheltered pasture, and some beautiful trails on which to ride.
Under the tutelage of renowned trainer Jes Lynch, and with the assistance of up-and-coming trainer Scott Hubschmid, two-year-old Thoroughbreds in training at the centre are provided a proper foundation for their career in racing.
Both Lynch and Hubschmid are farm trainers and not racetrack trainers – a big difference in the racing world. Farm trainers do the ground work training and provide the foundation that all horses should have – whether they go on to be racers or not, whereas track trainers work solely on the horse’s speed and conditioning at the track.
“Some days it’s like being a Kindergarten teacher,” says Jes about his four-legged students. “I don’t follow any particular method; each colt is an individual, and I work with what each one gives me. It varies with every horse.
“My job is to instill confidence in the colt or filly so that when they go onto their racing career they like their job.”
With an emphasis on training and conditioning, each colt and filly boarded at the centre is encouraged to spend at least 30 days on site, with a preference for 60 or 90 days. Within that time, the youngsters learn how the hot-walker works, they’re introduced to the starting gate, the track, going in company, and are even bathed so that when they reach the track as two-year-olds it’s not a new experience for them.
The end result is that horses trained at Eagle Hill Farms arrive into their new “job” as a racer prepared and confident to meet the challenges ahead.
Horses of racing age sent to Eagle Hill Farms for conditioning also receive special treatment. Having had experience at the track already, the first step for these horses is to give them at least a couple of months off from racing altogether.
After a well-deserved rest, the horses are then re-introduced to the track, with their workouts gradually increased over time depending on the specific needs of the horse and what the owner wants. The horse’s feed, like the training program, is also customized.
While one might think that summer around Eagle Hill Farms would be a quiet time with all the horses at the racetrack, nothing could be further from the truth.
By that time, the new year’s crop of foals has hit the ground (they start foaling in March), and there’s always those colts at the track that need a few days off from racing for some well-deserved “R&R” at the centre.
There’s also a lay-up barn on site for those horses in need of recovery, and a large foaling barn. And, while the Evans’ do take boarders of other breeds and do general training, Thoroughbreds are their main focus.
Get involved with an exciting, fast-growing part of the agriculture industry – Thoroughbred horse racing. Eagle Hill Farms can get you started. It is not the sport of “kings,” it is the sport of horses and people!
If you’re interested in boarding, training, or getting your first racehorse, get in touch with Eagle Hill Farms Thoroughbred Training Centre. You can reach Ernie or Donna Evans at (403) 556-2877, cell: (403) 994-0506, or email: eagletb@telusplanet.net. Or, you can contact their trainer Jes Lynch at (403) 556-3162.
