Sam-Son Farm

Sam-Son Farm in Ontario is Canadian horseracing royalty. Its origin traces back to Samuel, Son, & Co. Ltd., a steel and aluminum distribution family business founded in 1855 and operated since then by the Samuel and Balaz families. The late Ernie Samuel, whose great-grandfather founded the company, opened Sam-Son Farm in the 1960s as a site for hunter/jumper competitions. A Sam-Son horse, Canadian Club, won the 1967 Pan American Games individual jumping gold medal, and, under rider Jim Day, was a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team that won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. Sam-Son horses also competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. 

Sam-Son Farm entered Thoroughbred racing in 1972. Jim Day was the farm’s trainer until Mark Frostad took over in 1995. Sam-Son has produced a litany of champions, including seven Canadian Horses of the Year who accounted for eight titles. Chief Bearhart, who won the 1997 Eclipse Award as outstanding male turf horse, was a two-time Canadian Horse of the Year.