April Keedian

Cooks Creek, Manitoba, Canada

I am the current owner of 3 TBs, all of whom raced at my local track, Assiniboia Downs (ASD). They are the motivation behind Final Furlong Canada, which I founded 11 years ago with my friend Emily Johnson. As part of our Final Furlong mission which includes listing ASD horses for sale and creating pathways for local thoroughbreds on to their next careers, we became friends with Shelley Brown. Shelley was the first-ever female leading trainer at Assiniboia Downs and has always been a great supporter of Final Furlong and its work. I ride in honour of her as she is currently battling Stage 4 cancer while still training horses including Real Grace who won the 2020 Canadian Derby last September in Alberta while Shelley was in hospital in Winnipeg. It is an honour to ride in her silks and in her honour. My equine partner in this challenge is Right Minded who raced at ASD as a two and three-year -old. I purchased him off the track as a 3 year old. I sold him at the age of 5. At 11 years old he turned up at an auction in another province where I was fortunate to be able to buy him back. He has a very sweet nature, and enjoys trail riding and playing halter tag with his friends. Now at 22, he is still energetic, sound and requires no special maintenance.