Darrell Sanderson

DARRELL SANDERSON

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Horse racing has always been a part of my life. I was introduced to it from a young age, and growing up it’s all I wanted to do. I learned the trade from trainers Ron Fossen, Hubert Pilon, Juan Pablo Silva, my uncle Chester Constant, late uncle Garnet Sanderson, and Jerry Gourneau. I have gained a little bit of knowledge from all of them throughout the years, and one day I hope to pass down what I’ve learned to my children.

My biggest passion in the game is working in the starting gates and as a valet saddling horses in the paddock. Growing up, I used to sit in the grandstand and watch the gate crew do their job, thinking about how I too could do that one day. Now, I’ve been doing it for 20-some years, and I still love it. There’s no greater feeling than giving a horse a great start out of the gates, but it comes with great responsibility. My personal philosophy is to protect the jockeys and horses, and then yourself.
In 2019, I was given the new task of being Horse Identifier at Marquis Downs. I was enjoying it, but due to COVID-19, I was unable to carry on with that roll. Instead, I had to move my family to another track to carry on what I love doing.
Sure, Saskatoon may not be the biggest track, but it was close to home. Us small trainers and racetrack workers could go and enjoy the season without having to leave our own province.
If I could have anything, it would be to keep racing in Saskatchewan so I can continue to do what I love in my own province with my family and see my children could one day continue on in my footsteps