Ellis hits milestone at Century Downs

Having a career in the harness racing industry can cause potentially massive changes to one’s life. It’s not very uncommon for drivers, trainers, or even owners to move around Canada and even sometime around the world to further their careers the best way they can.

What makes the story around the trainer Travis Ellis interesting is how his move from Atlantic Canada to Manitoba came with a huge increase in success. Ellis started training in 2009 at Truro Raceway, and during his time there, he had 369 starts with 45 wins and earned $48,900 until he decided to move out west to Manitoba and try his luck out there. But why Manitoba exactly and why now?

“I was out in Manitoba about five years ago with Shawn Worthen in between my first and second year of aircraft mechanic school,” Ellis explained. “I was just trying to find something to do over the summer and be around horses, so I was helping him. I was first introduced to Trevor (Williams) and his old man, Mike because they had claimed Red Star Tiger (Brandons Cowboy) off of us.

“So, after that, any little mishap or scuffle we would be yapping at each other because you never want to have a horse claimed from you” Ellis added. “As the summer went along, we became better friends, and we stay in touch over the years. He (Williams) would ask me every spring if I wanted to come out and, but it would never really work until this past spring. I really did not know what I was getting myself into going into the summer, but it all worked out.”

When Ellis’ name first appeared on the program out at Miami Fair on July 9th, 2022, not a lot was known about the Nova Scotian. However, it did not take very long for the fans in Manitoba to hear his name as he won the first race of the meet teaming up with a three-year-old filly by the name of Perpetual (Vertical Horizon).

Rather than stopping at just one win, Ellis ended up having five wins during his debut at Miami Fair. Being the winning trainer in five of the eleven races in a day is no easy feat even at a fair track in Southern Manitoba. The success did not stop there as it did not take too long for him to find himself in the winner’s circle when stake season started in the province of Manitoba.

Jay Dees Scooter (Youshouldseemenow) won Leg 1 of The Golden Boy Stakes for Ellis, and he certainly did not slow down there. Before the end of July, Ellis had captured both division 1 and division 2 of the 3-year-old filly eligible stakes, the Lady Crocus. The two races went for roughly $28,000 combined in potentially purse winnings and Ellis was able to capture $17,850 of it as he also was training the runner-up finisher in the division 1 race.

Just in the month of July Ellis had over $56,000 in purse earnings and 17 wins all coming on just four race days hosted by Miami Fair. Ellis ended the brief 9-day Miami Fair meet with 41 wins, but the biggest triumph came in the Futurity Final where Ellis’ entry, Irish Melvin (Mystery Chase) earned a cheque of just over $12,000 for his first-place finish. A somewhat new experience for the trainer was followed up by a surprising Manitoban tradition.

“I couldn’t believe it after I won my first stakes race out here,” Ellis said. “Trevor told me I had to go out and buy beer for everyone. Apparently, the winner has to do that, so I went out and bought a couple of 36-packs and everyone came over to the barn after and we had a good time. Back home everyone just brought their own.”

The numbers that Ellis posted over the summer should have him on the short list of potential winners of the Trainer of the Year award in Manitoba when it’s time for the annual Award Banquet, but it is not something that has been front and center on his mind.

“I was told that, but I really didn’t pay too much attention to it,” Ellis said. “I often post articles on social media so people back home can see what I’m doing. But it is nice to be a big dog at a track even though it is a smaller track. The summer that we put together was really incredible. The purse money came in and owners were happy which gave me an amazing feeling knowing that the hard work is being rewarded.”

Since the summer meet at Miami Fair concluded, Ellis has moved even farther west to Calgary and is trying his hand at Century Downs. He has been fitting in just fine and has picked up even more wins. He just hit the 50-win mark this past weekend at Century Downs which is the first time he has had that many wins in a year. The win came with Mystic Dragon (Mystician) and Mike Hennessy winning the first race on Friday’s (October 14th) card.

What’s up next for this trainer? Well, it sounds like by the end of the month he and his barn with moving down south.

“As long as the stock stays healthy and keeps racing the way they have been,” Ellis added. “The plan is to take them down to the Cal Expo meet. It will be nice to go to the beach on the off days. I’ve never raced in the States or on the West Coast so it should be a great experience.”

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink