The dust settles, the snow flies and for many it appears the sport of chuckwagon racing has gone silent until a new season begins in May.
It’s a pattern that happens year after year on the front side, however, behind the scenes the sport continues.
Every race season, over 700 thoroughbred racehorses will perform as leaders, wheelers and outriding horses in the sport of chuckwagon racing. Most of these horses come directly from racetracks in the United States and Canada.
Similar to other professional sports, the equine athletes at some point will retire or be traded/sold to other teams. It’s an ongoing process and wagon drivers are always looking for new prospects to help them build a championship team. Wade Salmond is one of those drivers.
In 2024, Wade finished 10th in the World Standings. With the intent to improve in 2025, the Weekes Saskatchewan driver has already added 7 new horses to his team including a horse called “YOLA”, a 7 year old Ontario bred bay gelding that had career earnings of over $100,000.00US on the racetrack.
Wade claimed the horse in August of this year at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg and raced him 5 more times until the season ended.
Looking at the horse and his track record, it’s easy to see what garnered all the attention. “His size and early speed on the racetrack impressed me more than anything” says Salmond, “I have already hooked him a few times to see what he can do. He’s not really a fan of the wagon yet and he doesn’t drive as aggressively as I like them but I’m sure he will be just fine.”
Ironically, of the 7 new horses to the Wade Salmond team the 2 horses that impressed him the least on the racetrack have impressed him the most while breaking them to drive and it’s not the first time. Wade’s left leader “Wally” who he hooks for his runs off the #3 and #4 barrel position falls into that category. “I wasn’t impressed with the horse physically and he had a bowed tendon I was worried about healing. I didn’t even want the horse but my trainer at the racetrack convinced me to give him a chance and he has since become one of the best horses.”
Wade Salmond will go into 2025 with 25 horses in his herd. The new ones will continue to be broke to drive in the new year and if weather permits, Wade expects to start spring training on April 1st.
