Top ASD trainer Jared Brown enjoying a walk in the backstretch Thursday morning.
by G. S. Thompson
Trainer Jared Brown is back in action at Assiniboia Downs with a 26-horse stable, and it appears he could be heading for another great year.
Brown, who first arrived at Assiniboia Downs in 1999, has assembled another formidable stable heading into the 2025 season. The 57-year-old Vancouver native, who spent years in Seattle before making Manitoba his racing home, is coming off an impressive campaign where he tied for second in the trainer standings with 24 wins.
Last year Brown won six stakes races. This year could be even better.
Brown won stakes in 2024 with Gee I’m Foxy, She’s My Niece, and Welcome to Hollywood. The latter won the Winnipeg Futurity as a 2-year-old and was looking dapper and happy as a 3-year-old with assistant trainer/groom Susan Crane in the barn on Thursday morning.
Brown had seven 2-year-olds last year including Gee I’m Foxy, who won three stakes including the Debutante, Graduation and Osiris Stakes. While Gee I’m Foxy is now being conditioned by another trainer in Alberta, Brown’s other 2-year-olds from last season are back as 3-year-olds, and he’s added another seven 2-year-olds to his stable for 2025, including one by Omaha Beach for all-time leading ASD trainer Gary Danelson.
Danelson won’t be training horses this year, but he does plan on coming to Assiniboia Downs to socialize with the many friends he’s made here since first arriving at the Downs in 1959.
Groom Dodie Chmilowsky with 2-year-old owned by Gary Danelson. (George Williams)
“I have a better 2-year-old crop than last year,” Brown said. “Three were bought at the CTHS Manitoba Sale and four are from the Kentucky sales, including two New York-breds.”
Brown was walking horses between the barns with assistant trainer Susan Crane when we caught up with him on Thursday morning, but manual labour does have its benefits. “I’m down 40 freaking pounds,” said Crane, smiling. “I can’t afford to lose any more.”
With a solid core of proven stakes performers, promising young talent, great help including Crane and groom Dodie Chmilowsky, and the backing of established owners like Danelson, John Ganas, Violetta Adamczyk, Cam Ziprick and partners, and Kane Kachur, Brown’s 26-year tenure at Assiniboia Downs appears poised for another successful chapter in 2025.
Good luck Jared!
Susan Crane with 2024 Winnipeg Futurity winner Welcome to Hollywood. (George Williams)