Mofford “on cloud nine” after incredible start

Two weeks into the harness racing season, horseman Ardon Mofford is clicking at 75 per cent as a coach and 70 per cent within the sulky.

The resident of Florence, N.S. piloted three winners from the far outdoors put up six on the Could 14 opening day at Northside Downs. Announcer Shane Ryan referred to as that he had by no means seen the feat completed earlier than on the monitor.

“I didn’t count on it, that’s for certain,” Mofford mentioned. “I had some good lessons within the first week and felt fairly good a few couple. However then I noticed the draw and 4 out of the 5 horses I used to be placing behind the gate had been within the six-hole, after which there was one other catch drive that was within the 5, after which I had Guess On Artwork within the seven gap.

“Then 4 of my sixes gained – three of them I used to be driving, and one was my horse, Dont Inform Kim. In order that was a shocker.”

Per week later, Mofford improved on his opening day present. He backed up driving triple with a grand slam on Could 21 and skilled three of his 4 victorious mounts. After two days of racing, he’s six-for-eight as a conditioner and seven-for-10 on the strains.

“I used to be on cloud 9 after week one, by no means pondering that will ever occur to me once more – getting a hat trick, nevermind out of the six-hole,” Mofford mentioned. “Then final week got here, and I used to be simply in awe. It was an unimaginable feeling. Contemplating my rookie season was once I was 53, and now I’m 55 and in my third yr – for one thing like that to occur, it was a tremendous feeling.”

Mofford began coaching horses for the primary time within the early 2000s however reluctantly gave it up because of monetary difficulties and household obligations. He maintained different roles within the sport, together with starter and decide. Exterior of racing, Mofford is an award-winning chef and has pursued a profession in cooking for round 35 years. He owns and operates the Governor’s Pub and Eatery in Sydney, N.S and has owned different eating places. He organized the Proper Some Good Meals Competition in Nova Scotia, by which famend worldwide cooks paired with rising culinary expertise at pop-up eating places in distinctive areas whereas supporting native industries.

“That’s been my labour of affection,” he mentioned. “I’m principally backing away from the restaurant a bit and I gave a few of my younger apprentices an opportunity to be my sous cooks. I’ve been spending loads of time with the horses and I’m making an attempt to reside my youth now.”

Mofford mentioned that he loved his time in non-competitive roles in harness racing however by no means misplaced his want to choose up the reins.

“I simply saved itching to get again, particularly once I was behind the beginning gate and simply seeing the motion and simply desirous to be in,” he mentioned. “I’ve at all times been a aggressive man – I’ve performed rugby, hockey, soccer – and I simply missed the competitors.

“I actually missed the competitors and the camaraderie of being in sports activities. Particularly in harness racing too, individuals are nice. It’s an amazing neighborhood, and on the monitor I simply have loads of enjoyable. I simply love the sport a lot. It doesn’t really feel like work, I simply wish to do it on a regular basis.”

Mofford made his method again into coaching in 2019 with Non-public Paradise, a Western Paradise gelding. He then purchased the aged Royal Artwork gelding Guess On Artwork from Lindsey Kerr and likewise acquired Shadow Play mare Sauble Bonnie in 2020. Mofford runs Wouldn’t Say No Steady, a syndicate for yearling purchases, and his Mofford Racing secure, which at present holds six horses.

Mofford initially deliberate to promote sophomores Dont Inform Kim and Finer Issues, each of which had been holdings of Wouldn’t Say No Steady, however his spouse Tonya satisfied him to maintain them.

“A variety of these horses weren’t mine initially, however my spouse wouldn’t let me promote any of them,” Mofford mentioned. “So I had to purchase all of the syndicates out, as a result of Wouldn’t Say No Steady would purchase yearlings, and we’d promote them as three-year-olds. So my spouse, this yr, made my purchase all of the three-year-olds. […] Guess On Artwork – I had him offered, however I wasn’t allowed to promote him, so now I’ve all of the horses within the barn.”

Dont Inform Kim has thus far rewarded Mofford’s loyalty. The mare has gained each of her begins this season and is entered once more right now (Could 28) at Northside Downs.

“She’s just a bit machine,” Mofford mentioned. “I’m an enormous man, and she or he buzzed me round that gauntlet in miles in 1:59 and a pair of:00. She’s simply the prettiest little factor – you simply dangle on and also you go for a trip. I need to say, so long as you possibly can hold her collectively, she’s acquired to be certainly one of my favourites.”

Although Mofford mentioned he was shocked on the success of his first two weeks, he attributed his success to “some actually good assist.” He mentioned that he was capable of spend extra time with the horses due to having extra our bodies. Larry Snow, who feeds the horses at Northside, helped Mofford with morning jogging and coaching, which streamlined the secure’s work.

“Him and I simply saved rolling each morning and stepped them up a bit of bit,” Mofford mentioned. “You understand, jog 5 miles on a regular basis and ensure we practice them up fairly good. And yeah, they simply got here again actually good this yr.”

Mofford is within the strategy of constructing a brand new secure – named after Non-public Paradise – to increase his coaching operation. He missed having yearlings to coach this season and hopes to purchase infants for subsequent yr. He mentioned stalling is a matter in North Sydney after the demolition of the previous Tartan Downs facility and the tragic barn fireplace at Balls Creek. Nevertheless, Mofford expects one other barn to be constructed quickly, along with his new secure, and the equine housing deficiency to be resolved.

“There’s fairly a couple of horses and never sufficient stables arrange at Northside. However I believe that can change within the close to future. I believe they’ll construct one other barn, and it’ll make it higher for us in that scenario,” he mentioned.

One star of the present Mofford barn is Whosyourfather, a three-year-old daughter of Cougar Corridor. She has gained each of her begins this season convincingly and can go postward for Mofford within the P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots on Sunday at Summerside Raceway in Prince Edward Island. Debra Rankin of Dutch Brook owns the three-time winner.

“She’s simply actually advanced,” Mofford mentioned. “She acquired injured as a two-year-old. I certified her and I acquired to drive her as soon as, after which she went in a few stakes races and acquired injured within the pen, within the turnout, having some enjoyable. She pulled a suspensory. However she got here again strong, and she or he’s simply superior.”

Mofford has three entries at Northside on Saturday. He’ll pilot Dont Inform Kim within the second race and has due to this fact deferred Actually Hanover’s drive to Mark Pezzarello. Mofford may also drive Sauble Bonnie within the fourth.

First put up on the seven-race program is 1:00 p.m. ADT.

For full race entries, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink