Breeding racehorses runs in this western Manitoba family's veins

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The Fouillard family has been breeding racehorses in western Manitoba for over 20 years, but it seems like a lot more than racing talent is getting passed down from one generation to the next.

Charles Fouillard, who ownsFouillard Farms, has been breeding thoroughbreds for racing for more than 20 years in the village of St. Lazare. His two sons,Julien and Stphane, have inherited their father's passion.

"I've always loved horses, ever since I was born," said Julien."There's something about a horse you can't explain. They're always there for you, they're never angry. I don't think I could go a day without a horse."

Growing up, "we'd come from school and want to go to the barn to help my dad with chores and stuff," he recalls.

"We used to raise Quarter Horses [a fast breed of horse] and riding horses for the public and rodeos."

The brothers and their cousin, Christian Lemoine, launched Fouillard Family Thoroughbreds in 2023. They sold their first horse at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society of Manitoba's latest annual foal sale, held in Winnipeg on Aug. 22.

Their filly, Rise Again, sold for $11,000. Since raising and caring for a foal from birth to sale takes a year and costs around $4,000,Julien said, that represents a profit of$7,000.

Ahead of the sale, Julien said they'd "be happy with anything over $5,000."

"I'm pretty proud of them,"said Charles Fouillard."They really take this seriously. They know more about bloodlines than I do now."

Nonetheless, the students haven't outdone their teacher yet. One of Charles Fouillard'smares sold for $33,000 that day.

His crown jewel remains his mare Escape Clause, whose performances at the Winnipeg racetrack had earned her the nickname "the Assiniboia Assassin."

Escape Clause has won over $1 million racing against some of the best mares in North America.

"She's now in Japan, where her first foal, with Japan's top stallion, sold at six months old for over $1.2 million,"said Charles.

Tracking lineage

Some 30yearlings were auctioned during the Aug. 22 saleat the Red River Exhibition Grounds, near Winnipeg's racetrack, Assiniboia Downs, including 11 thatsold for an average sale price nearing $16,000.

Lineage is at the heart of horse sales and races. The names of each horse's parentsare available, along with other information, such as the number of races various members of their bloodline have won and the amount they've earned.

"We look at bloodlines, legs, muscles, but also temperament,"says Philippe Allardfrom A2 Thoroughbreds, who was part of the groupthat ended up purchasing Rise Again.

Racehorses area family affair for Allard too.

"We've been doing this for 30 years.I'm the second generation. My father started doing it, and now my son loves it too," he said.

Even though selling a horse likeRise Again is part of the business the Fouillard brothers got into, their emotionwas palpable when it came time to send her off to the auction.They brought the filly into the world and have been caring for her for over a year.

"She was born on Good Friday, so that's what we wanted to call her, but the name was already taken. So we thought [Jesus]resurrected three days later, so we said Rise Again," saidJulien.

"A good Catholic horse!"addedhis mother, Karen Fouillard.

Rise Againis the daughter of Speculating and Marianda, a mare whowas born at the Fouillard family's farm. She ran for a few years, and was then bought back by the Fouillard brothers.

"She was really good, but she injured her leg when she was three years old. Her owners wanted to get rid of her and we knew her pedigree, so we brought her back" to the family farm, said Juilen.

Letting go

He had already been preparing Rise Again for the sale for several weeks before the auction.

"We give her ground flaxseed to help her skin and make her coat shine in the sun. We [walk her] so that at the sale, it won't be her first time doing it. I put a saddle on her every evening to make her neck muscles grow and pop," he explained.

"She's kind, she's loving, she's smart. I love the horse. I don't want to see her go,"saidStphane.

"They say money doesn't make you happy, but if you have a lot of money, you can buy things that make you happy. And she makes me happy," he said.

"You get attached, but that's part of the business," said Julien.

"Breeding thoroughbreds is more or less like being a physical trainer. Then you let them go," and "hope that someone will take as good care of them as you do," he said.

The brothers were pleased with the group that ended up purchasing Rise Again.

"We thought she was beautiful and we'd already bought[a horse from Charles Fouillard and his partner], and they're doing a great job," saidAllard.

"We're sad to see her go," saidJulien, as he watched Rise Again make her way to the trailer that would take her to her new home.

"But I know she'll be treated well and that it gives her a chance to do well in the races."

This parting will be the first of manyfor the co-owners of Fouillard Family Thoroughbreds. The Fouillard brothers and their cousin are preparing to sell the dozen or so foals born last spring at next year's yearling sale.

As for their first filly, herjourney is also just starting.

Rise Again should make her racing debut next spring, after a year of training at one of her new owners' ranch, Miracle Ranch, near Birds Hill Provincial Park.