“Where are they now?” Magnetic Benka

This week, we find a horse who raced at Exhibition Park Raceway early on his harness racing career and went on to have a wonderful racing career.

This horse was bred in Nova Scotia by Jeff Hennigar of Truro, Nova Scotia. He went through the sale in Truro in September of 2001.

Selling for $9,000, the gelded son of Happy Family turned out to be a very wise investment. He went on to earn over $ 100,000 lifetime for his career.

He took his lifetime mark at Truro Raceway in 1:56.3 at age five. He won his final career race back in August 2011 over Exhibition Park Raceway.

At his retirement, he had accumulated sixty-eight lifetime wins. He now is twenty-three years of age and makes his home in Shediac, New Brunswick.

Affectionately known to his legion of fans as ” Benny “, he provided Moncton’s Ray Fraser with so many memorable wins.

Tough as nails, Magnetic Benka, who spent his racing career in the stable of O’Brien award winner Gilles Barrieau, has a new owner.

We are pleased to present on her words, the story of what Magnetic Benka has been up to since his racing career ended. As you’ll read, Benny is living the good life.

Thanks to Shannon Harris Fougere, the proud owner who shares her story below. Hope you enjoy!

by Scott Waddell, for Horse Racing New Brunswick

The story of Benny, where to begin.

I had horses all my life when younger, my first pony I had when I was 3. Once I went off to University and started a family, I had to make the decision to be without a horse in my life for many years.

In 2011 I reached out to Morning Star acres who was rehoming Standardbreds at the time. A friend of mine had found her standardbred from Gisele and I thought why not! I received a picture of Benny and some info on him.

I drove to the track in Saint John to meet him and see if I wanted to adopt him. I loved him from the first time I walked him on the lead. He was perfect. Shortly after, he officially retired from racing and was being trailered to his new home in Shediac. I can remember that day like it was yesterday.

When the driver pulled up to the gas station where we waited to show him where Ben’s new home would be I could see him inside. I can’t even describe the joy I had inside, I was going to have a horse again, it had been since 1995 that I last had my mare, Prancer who I had to sell to pay for university . Yes, Prancer is a boy name but I was 9 and named her after a reindeer when I got her for a Christmas gift.

When we brought Benny into our lives it was Sept and Benny was a birthday present for my Daughter, but really was just an excuse for me to have a horse in my life again. When Ben bounced off that trailer my husband had no idea he had competition for my time and love! Haha. Ben was officially in my life and I had a piece of myself back that had been missing for so long.

They say horses can feel our emotions and intentions. I believe this to be true because Ben and I bonded almost instantly. He could feel by my gentle hand and soft voice that he was loved and in a safe place, that he could trust me.

Ben always gives me 100%. It took us a while working together for him to gain his confidence and balance to stop pacing and be able to canter.

I discovered he enjoyed Jumping but his happy place is on the trail. He loves to go on adventures and he always goes willingly where I ask. If something is new I let him figure it out with my guidance.

This horse is truly an amazing character.

When boarding at stables that had novice trail riders or horses they would ask if they could come along with Ben and I so their horse could see how it is done!

My two girls never ended up having the same passion for horses as I but they still love to visit him and Benny was always a perfect gentleman when they were little. He would let them brush him and let them lead him around looking for the best grass outside the pasture.

He is pretty much fully retired now being 23 yrs old in May, but we still do the occasional trail adventure. He is at a private barn with my friend who also has a gelding who is out to pasture. She was looking for a pasture mate and I wanted Benny to live out his days in full turnout with access to shelters when he wanted. We both got what we wanted and Benny now has 2 Mom’s a Grandma and Papa to look after him..So spoiled. He never wants to be inside, he is wild now!!

He used to hate being outside when I first got him, the bugs would drive him crazy, and he would be at the gate asking to go back in his stall during his turnout. Today I think he would be very displeased to be stuck in his box stall, how things change!

He is now a pampered old fart who is enjoying life to the fullest.

He has many good years to go and his “Mom’s “are so happy he is in our lives.

What a great horse!

by Shannon Fougere