by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — His career year in 2011 turned plenty of heads, a million dollar-plus campaign that could see Travis Umphrey get the nod for a coveted O’Brien Award, courtesy of a fleet-footed filly.
After eclipsing the seven-figure mark in purse earnings last year, it’s only fitting that Umphrey will be in attendance at the O’Brien Awards, which celebrates Canadian harness racing’s best, on January 28.
The Alberta native’s Monkey On My Wheel, who captured the Breeders Crown and $823,525 in earnings this past season, has been nominated along with See You At Peelers for 3-year-old pacing filly of the year honors in Canada.
WEG photo
Travis Umphrey
“It’s going to be nice to be there and if she wins it will be a dream come true,” Umphrey said. “I’ve been looking to take Mr. O’Brien home my whole life, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Monkey On My Wheel, a bay daughter of Mach Three, is co-owned by Umphrey along with breeder Mac Nichol. The consistent 10-time winner led her rivals in the Ontario Sires Stakes program in 2011.
Umphrey, a veteran trainer in his home province before moving East to Ontario in early 2009, admits the decision was one of the most difficult he’s ever had to make, but one he certainly doesn’t regret.
“It was tough to leave your friends and your family,” Umphrey admitted. “It was coming to a point whether you go do something else or move here where horse racing is a lot stronger.”
Umphrey, 42, currently has 28 horses in training at First Line Training Centre near Mohawk Racetrack.
WEG’s Communications team spoke to Umphrey about the 2011 O’Brien Awards and an update on Monkey On My Wheel. To view the video, please click here.