Hazel Bochinski – More than the sum of her parts!

Hazel Bochinski – November 24 1942 – October 21, 2021 (Bochinski Family)

By Track Historian Bob Gates

Whether she was teaching young minds at Shaughnessy Park or Lord Nelson Schools, or training race horses at Assiniboia Downs, Hazel was a natural. She was able to take her public school experience and mould herself into a fine conditioner of thoroughbreds.

Her 15-year career at the Downs spanned from 1980 to 1995. Equibase credits her with 213 firsts, 229 seconds and 231 thirds from 1,641 starts, earning purses totalling $1,109,294. The multiple stakes winning trainer got her early experience working in Clayton Gray’s barn, talk about a fine place to earn your wings.

Hazel’s first win as a licensed trainer came compliments of Mr. In Between on September 1, 1980. The chestnut gelding was owned by husband, Bill and her brother Glen Calder. Over the next 15 years she enjoyed much success at the Downs and oh how she loved her horses. How many of these runners can you remember: Pick Sure, Bob F, T.K. Chance, Little Quacker, Just as Sunny, Gala Serenade, Toonz, Bill’s Express and Slew Kandu.

Horse racing had a family feel to it for the Bochinski’s. Husband Bill was an owner, Hazel trained and son Brian rode, while other son Randy was Brian’s agent. Oops, I almost forgot to mention Brian’s wife, Tracey (daughter of former Blue Bomber lineman, Cornell Piper) who worked in the Tommy Dodds’ barn.

Who Knew? Tracey’s aunt, by the way, is Marg Homeniuk, and she was the first female to be the leading trainer of a harness race meet in North America.

Hazel gave Brian every opportunity to pursue his dreams. After galloping horses for a year and completing the Hawkeye Hill School of racing in Kentucky, his first start came aboard his mom’s Minstrel Dawn on July 29, 1986. It may not have been a winning effort, but the third-place finish was only the beginning for Brian.

He would go on to ride at the Downs from 1986 to 1992, winning the riding title in 1988, 1990 and 1992. Had Brian stayed, he was destined to re-write the Downs record books, but Ontario called, so he moved his tack to the elite tracks down east. Brian sits in ninth place on the Downs all-time leading jockey board with 950 career wins at the westend track.

Highlights:

• In 1987 Hazel’s barn consisted of 26 ready-to-go thoroughbreds. At the time, hers was the largest stable under female rule in the 30-year history of the Downs.
• On May 13, 1987 family history was made. Brian rode the Hazel-trained Andy’s Revenge to victory. It was the first time the mother and son combined for the win.
• May 14, 1989 – Brian rode Tover Hex to victory for his mom on Mothers’ Day.
• August 13, 1989 – Avondale Farms & Partners’ Pick Sure won the Winnipeg Futurity. It marked the first time the winner of the Futurity had been saddled by a female trainer.
• May 10, 1992 – Brian once again rode a winner for his mom on Mothers’ Day – this time it was Kel Tot who met Hazel in the winner’s circle.
• At the end of the 1992 season Hazel ranked tenth overall among the Downs all-time leading trainers with 193 wins.

After she decided to step away from training, Hazel went to work for the HBPA and became heavily involved with the Downs Children Daycare Program.  From there she joined the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission where she worked for six years, rising to the position of presiding steward.

Hazel was one of those special people who truly was so much more than the sum of her parts. So, please don’t be disappointed if her story here doesn’t include all of the details of her many accomplishments at Assiniboia Downs. Most who knew Hazel would agree that her greatest gift was her kind nature and endearing love for family and friends.

Hazel’s caring ways were never more evident than when she helped out Robert Joseph “Bob” Franklin. “Old Bob” Franklin was one of the first year-round residents of the old tin shacks on the backside. Time wasn’t kind to Bob and life got tough for the lifetime racetracker. Bob never bothered to apply for a Manitoba Medical card or the Old Age Pension.

Enter Hazel Bochinski, who saw to it that Bob got the benefits to which he was entitled. She also made sure that his horses were looked after. The Fare Well Stable was formed and was comprised of Roxy Maxwell, Audrey Trenholm and Hazel. Thanks to Hazel, the twilight of Bob’s life was made just a little easier. Bobby passed on May 1, 1990.

Hazel was a regular reader of the history blog and for more than three years we traded Facebook messages about the people, horses and events of the past. Of being the first female trainer to win the Winnipeg Futurity, Hazel offered:

“I think I may have been, but I never thought about that before. I believe I was the only Manitoba woman trainer that had a thoroughbred and standardbred trainer’s licence in the same year. I just never thought about any of these things. I was just too busy working. 

Hazel was so modest. I think back and treasure our many Facebook conversations. Her support for “my stories” meant more to me than she ever knew. The horse racing historian world is a small and sometimes lonely one, but Hazel understood and cared enough to make sure that I appreciated my place in that world.

She never got the credit she was due for her historical articles that appeared in the “Manitoba Thoroughbred” magazine. She compiled a six-part history of horse racing in Manitoba. I can only imagine the countless hours she spent researching the material from the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Tribune archives. It must have got to the point where she was a regular fixture at the Centennial Library’s microfilm machines.

Hazel fought a courageous battle with the demon cancer, but it was one she wasn’t able to win. When her time came, daughter-in-law Tracey said Hazel had everything prepared “as always.” The final line of her obituary spoke volumes.

She touched many lives in a very positive and profound way,
she will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

Tracey also shared the most touching compliment I have ever received.

She really enjoyed all your articles, and they helped her on days when she was struggling, so thank you for that. Sometimes you don’t know when you are making a difference to people, so know that you did. 

Hazel passed October 21, 2021, and in true Hazel fashion prepared her own special “goodbye” for all her Facebook family and friends.

I just wanted to say I enjoyed everyone’s posts and read them all to the end of my life, even if I didn’t comment. It was a privilege knowing you all. 

No Hazel, it was our privilege getting to know you!