Adam Gardipy

Horse racing in Saskatchewan has always been big part of my life.

As a little kid I ran around Marquis Downs with my friends pretending to be our favourite jockeys riding our imaginary racehorse. But our biggest thrill was when our favourite jockeys gave us a pair of their goggles.

As I got a little older, I started hot walking and grooming horses, but my biggest dream was to work on the starting gate. I used to go watch along the rail and think I want to do that some day. Eventually that day came, and now I have been the official race starter for Marquis Downs for the past few years.

Like many others, I started out in the "bush" tracks - informal racetracks that host live racing in communities throughout the province - and by the time I got to Marquis Downs, I already had plenty of experience.

I’ve seen Marquis Downs grow in popularity. There were a few years when there were only a handful of people in attendance, but these past few years you can hardly find a seat in the grandstand.

I would like to see horse racing in Saskatchewan continue for many years to come.