By Track Historian Bob Gates
The Manitoba Derby is now in our rearview mirror, and we still have another half of the 2025 racing season to enjoy. Where does the time go?
Speaking of time, track photographer Jason Halstead is in his 10th year with Assiniboia Downs. It doesn’t always seem that Jason gets enough credit for the tremendous work he does at the Portage Avenue track and we’re about to fix that.
As track historian I’d be lost without him. Photographs are a huge part of history, and we rely on them to record the past. Assiniboia Downs prides itself in having had three main track photographers over the years. In the beginning there was Bob Barnes, who was followed by Gerry Hart. What can you say about Gerry? The man was an institution around these parts and was the Downs official photographer from 1968 to 2017. Yep, a half century of racing! During Gerry’s tenure at the track, he worked with Frank Chalmers and then Frank’s daughter Katie Chalmers-Brooks.
Our man Jason worked beside Gerry in 2016 and 2017 before taking over the photo booth in 2018. Jason, who was born and raised in Manitoba, is a Winnipeg-based photographer, editor, writer, and general creative professional who has been working in these fields for over 25 years. His work has encompassed photojournalism, editing, and writing for various newspapers and publications including the Winnipeg Sun and Winnipeg Free Press, as well as sports imagery for the NHL and CFL. A recipient of the prestigious Sovereign Award for Outstanding Photography—Canada’s top honour in horseracing—his work has been published by national and international media outlets.
I’ve been lucky enough to work with Jason since his start in 2016. However it took us some time to realize that we had met before. I first met Jason in December 2009 when he was working for the Winnipeg Sun. During the days preceding Christmas Day, I would don a Santa suit and wave to passers-by on Chancellor Drive. The Winnipeg Sun was tipped off to my Santa gig and sent Jason to take a few pix and do a write-up that would appear in their Christmas Eve edition. So Jason and I were already acquainted long before our time at Assiniboia Downs. Who knew?
I have had the absolute pleasure of going through thousands of his photographs and would like to share some of them with you, the loyal readers of the history blog. These pix represent a wonderful cross-section of his body of work at Assiniboia Downs. Please enjoy!
The 2020 season was a first for the Downs. The global pandemic necessitated a season with “No Fans in the Stands."
Jason’s work involves so much more than the traditional winner’s circle shots, and he always has his camera “at the ready.”
In 2021 Jarvis Swereda (Starfield Stables) was recognized for his lifetime contributions to the Manitoba thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.
You never know who’s going to show up on a race night, but Jason’s always there to capture the moment.
Sometimes things don’t always go as planned.
Burrow Down with Stanley Chadee Jr. aboard share a moment in front of the photo finish mirror.
Trainer Gary Danelson is the Downs all-time leading trainer with 1,255 victories. Gary has won three leading trainer titles. His first two came in 1969 and 1970, while his final title would come 33 years later in 2003. You just can’t say enough good things about the man from Scobey Montana.
As of July 29, 2025 young Steve Keplin Jr. has 24 wins for the current season from 65 starts. The future looks bright for this young man, who is simply a delight to be around.
Jason won a prestigious Sovereign award for his shot of Commandoslastdance with Chavion Chow up and groom Olive Johnston in 2023. Now the rest of Canada knows what we’ve known for a while now – Jason knows photography!
The beauty of this photo speaks for itself.
It’s a long, lonely walk back to the barn after the last race of the night on the final day of the meet in 2023.
I hope you’ve enjoyed our brief divergence from our usual stories of yesteryear. By the way, if you’re ever looking for that special racing photo, reach out to Jason at jjhphoto@gmail.com, I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you.
Jason John Halstead is one of the greatest guys you’d ever want to meet and he’s an even better photographer. We are fortunate to have him here with us at the Downs…
Thanks Jason for all that you do!