While Ernest L. Samuel’s incredible list of achievements spans decades— and countries, its beginnings are inextricably linked to Oakville. In 1972, a then 32-year-old Samuel began Sam-Son Farm, a broodmare band based in Milton. That same year, the farm’s first trainer, Art Warner, claimed Takaring at Fort Erie Racecourse, making the horse SamSon’s first stakes winner.
In 1975, Samuel added yearlings No Class and Loudrangle to his roster, laying the foundation for the broodmare band’s success. Samuel’s career blossomed quickly, with his horses becoming internationally renowned for their success. In 1991, he became the first and only Canadian owner to capture the coveted Breeders’ Cup races with Dance Smartly. This same year, he was honoured as Canada’s Man of the Year, received an Eclipse Award as outstanding owner, and set a world record by earning more than $6.8 million in purses. In 1997, he won another Breeders’ Cup with Chief Bearhart. Other achievements include his 35 Sovereign Awards, five Horse of the Year Honours, five Leading Owner awards, and two Breeder of the Year wins. He also won Canada’s prestigious Queen’s Plate race twice, with horses Regal Intention and Dance Smartly. and health sectors, supporting the Royal Ontario Museum and the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Further, he served as a Trustee on the Board of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and as Chairman of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Fund. He was also affiliated with the Board of Trade, The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, The Royal Canadian Yacht Club, The Toronto Club, Appleby College, and Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Samuel was also involved in the racing community at the local and national levels, serving as Vice- President and Trustee of the Ontario Jockey Club, steward of the Jockey Club of Canada, member of The Jockey Club (New York), and Director of the Breeders’ Cup. He was also a major supporter of Canada’s equine jumping team, and a generous benefactor to the cultural For all of these successes—and for his work as Chairman and CEO of Samuel Son & Co. Ltd, an internationally-known steel company—Samuel was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998. While he passed away in 2000, his legacy lives on through his daughter, Tammy Balaz, who oversees the operation of Sam-Son Farm’s two locations in Ontario and Florida.
