Gary Danelson Leading Trainer Plaque
By Bob Gates
This August 28th our dear friend from Scobey, Montana will be celebrating 87 trips around the sun and August 29th will mark the 65th anniversary of his first win at Assiniboia Downs.
The other day I gave Gary a quick call to chat about his career, only to find out about his recent run-in with the star of his stable, Kate’s Princess. What happens when a rambunctious 8-year-old mare bodychecks her aging master? Nothing good! Gary’s hip took the worst of it and he’s currently in a Grand Forks hospital recovering and may not be back at the Downs this year.
Does this mean we’ve seen the last of Gary? We don’t know for sure, but the man from Scobey had significant mobility issues this season and that was before his dust-up with Kate. So this can’t be good news, but more on that later.
There’s one thing that you should know, or perhaps already do, when it comes to Gary, your favourite blogger has a bad case of hero worship for the man. And I’m not embarrassed to admit it.
I met Gary in 2011, up to that point I certainly knew who he was, but we never actually met. The meeting took place while I was manning one of my first photo displays for the Downs. Gary approached, looked over my photo array and we chatted some. Our conversation ended with him giving me one of his business cards and that was it. I was hooked, hooked on Gary that is, and our friendship developed.
Gary’s record speaks for itself, but there’s a couple of things you may not know about him. First of all he’s a tremendous ambassador for racing and Assiniboia Downs. He’s been known to sit on one of the benches in front of the grandstand to watch his horses race. Next thing you know, he’s making new friends with people nearby and inviting them to join him in the winners’ circle for a photo should his horse be victorious.
Other thing is, he has a rolodex (olden-days word for a formal listing of names, addresses and phone numbers) that would be the envy of any celebrity. He knows more people directly and indirectly associated with racing than you’d ever believe possible.
Back to my, telephone conversation with Gary. He admitted to having some horses that were special to him and in a 65-year career don’t think it was an easy task to select his faves. He singled out Electric Fever, Speedy and Flying Frost, and old-timer Sal’s Imp who won a slew of races for him in the 60s.
His best you might wonder? He chose Baladi who had a break-out year in 1981. He went to post seven times that year at the Downs, winning six and placing third once. Baladi’s six wins included a Gold Cup upset over heavily favoured shipper Ky Alta.
Baladi September 19, 1981 Gold Cup
The final horse Gary wanted to acknowledge was his first. Coherence started it all. Gary explained that he had taken a year off from college to give the horse racing game a try. Thanks to Coherence, Gary’s college days were done and Montana’s favourite son embarked on a career with thoroughbreds.
Gary’s first win, Coherence August 29, 1959
Career highlights, according to Gary, included becoming the Downs all-time leading trainer on May 26, 2001, winning his 1,000th race at the Downs on August 10, 2004, and his recent induction into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Gary Danelson, 1000th win, August 10, 2004 Brass Ruhler
Gary spoke freely about his career, but insisted on having some others recognized. He was high in praise for his groom, Ulrich Bell and he also wanted to make sure to thank Monique Goulet and Will Tourangeau for their help and kindness.
Blogger Bob, Bonnie and Gary
And last by no means least, he had warm loving words for his partner of 25 years, Bonnie McCrory. What can be said of Bonnie? Those who have had the pleasure of knowing her will attest to the fact that she is just one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet! But that’s enough from me, here’s what some others had to say about their friend and one of the finest trainers to ever walk the backside of Assiniboia Downs:
Lorne Spearman: Lorne was the late Irwin Driedger’s jockey agent and spoke highly of Gary’s knowledge of horses and the sport in general. He described Gary as “wise” and wanted to thank him for his role in mentoring him and Irwin during their time at the Downs.
Dwayne Addison: “Very kind-hearted gentleman… very fair and respected.”
Karen Hendricks: “He’s had a great career… good horseman and I respect him as a trainer.”
Tim Gardiner: “He’s been a father-figure for me. He always does what he says he’s going to do, and I was devastated when I heard he was hurt.”
Dan Ragen: “Best wishes from the Ragen family to Gary. It’s tough to see that generation of trainers not at the track any more. Growing up I had many good role models and Gary was one of them. I thought he had the nicest barn, and his horses were tough to beat. I’m sure he will be close to horses wherever he is at.”
Kent Benjamin: “The Danelson and Benjamin families have been friends ever since we started racing in Winnipeg… He always liked to play tricks on my brother and I when we were young. He was quite the guy… In the later years I worked for Gary. He was a very good horseman. I always have good memories of Gary.”
Sue Marzolf: “I am trying to think of how long I have known Gary. Something like 53 years! Since I was in high school anyway. Always pleasant to deal with both inside the office and out. A lot of fun and told a good story. Always paid his bills. His horses looked good and ran well. He was one of the originals that came here when Assiniboia Downs opened… When he retires he will be missed. I have much admiration and respect for the man. I wish him all the best and Bonnie as well.”
Sandy Dimma: “I wish Gary all the very best. I was a groom for Gary in the late 1970s. Best boss ever, I loved his horses, and he appreciated that. One day my son Gerry’s bike was accidently damaged, and Gary bought him a new one. I was recently divorced at that time and raising Gerry on my own and Gary did all he could to help me out. I have a lot of respect for Gary.”
Dancing River June 9, 1978 with adoring groom Sandy Dimma
Trevor Monroe: “Gary and my father Milo had a friendship that was driven by trust and respect. They met in 1960 at the Downs and until my father’s passing in December 2022, you could still see the spark when they got together…Gary and my father also spent time together in Chicago’s Sportsman’s Park, Detroit’s Hazel Park and other tracks in the States. They were both particular with their horses but trusted one another with each other’s stable. Milo never had a brother, and Gary was as close as it could get with brotherhood in the 60+ years of friendship.”
Lois Monroe: “Gary was born into horse racing and has lived to the fullest of his life as a horseman. He’s always remained humble and credits all those involved with his races as an owner and trainer. His truest character trait had always been that whether he wins or finishes somewhere in the back, he’s a good sport!”
Shelley Brown: “Gary is great horseman and a great friend. He is my favourite person on the track. He has always been there to comfort me when the chips were down, always giving me support… in a cut-throat game such as horse racing that is rare… he embodies what racing is all about.”
Darren Dunn: “Gary is a legend at Assiniboia Downs. There is just no other way to say it. An extremely skilled horse trainer with an almost unmatched eye for equine talent in this racing region. He is widely and deservedly respected for his incredibly consistent winning results season after season. Gary has also generously shared his knowledge in a mentor role time and time again to the younger generation of horse people to race here. On a final note, you just can’t say enough about his loyalty to ASD, something so noticed and so appreciated.”
Will 2024 be Gary’s last season? Sorry I can’t help but be selfish here. I hope not, and come next spring we’ll keep an eye out to see if Gary and Bonnie roll-up in their trailer at the north gate to take their rightful spot on the grounds.
Come next February, Gary is going to get that itch, one that he has come to know all to well. Will he scratch it, or will he call it a career? We’ll have to wait and see. Perhaps Andrew Gold said it best in his 1978 hit:
♫♫ Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down a road and back again
Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant
I’m not ashamed to say
I hope it always stay this way
My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow
And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
Well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say
Thank you for being a friend! ♫♫