When Jason Gilchrist was a youngster, he was better known in the city of Spencerville, Ontario as the "kid with the poney." A well-known figure in his village, he would go about on the road driving his miniature horse, the latter harnessed to a shortened sulky. One could easily imagine young Jason in a career involving horses.

Jason learned the rudiments of his trade at the family farm, numbering twenty head or so, alongside his father Louis, a horseman widely known both in Ontario and in Quebec. A few months before turning nineteen, he made his debut with the professionals. As early as his first start on April 2nd, 2000 at Hippodrome de Montréal, he savored his first victory at the reins of the trotter Pensacola, cornerstone of his career.

Jason experienced his greatest season in 2004 with 89 wins while banking $688,000. Nothing more was needed for Hippodrome de Montréal to vote him "Revelation of the Year." Once again, Pensacola was no stranger to this outcome as, the now eight-year-old trotter, never lost a race last year in seven starts on the Montreal scene.

As for any driver at the dawn of his career, work opportunities are not legion. "I owe everything to my father who taught me all I know," stated Jason offhandedly. "However, he added, I also feel much obliged to Dr Frédérick Albert, one of our owners. His confidence in me considerably helped to launch my career." Other than Pensacola, Olympic Magic and Equine Grace also played honorably for Dr Albert's club maneuvered by the young Gilchrist.

If the twenty-three-year-old driver chose this trade, he did not by any means put all his eggs in the same basket. Two years ago, he completed his studies in Administration at the Brockville St-Lawrence College. "It was hard to conciliate my studies and my work with horses. I had classes in the afternoon thereby allowing me to work in the morning. However, if I had to go in for an evening competition, especially when hired by Montreal, I had to rush to the track full speed."

Nevertheless, not unlike many others, the former center-player for the Schooners of the Ontario St-Lawrence College hockey league dreams of becoming a popular driver for the relief team. He admits that action is what provides a sure advantage over training. He claims to be very happy with his career moves so far and he wishes to add still more to his 301 wins and earnings of $2.5 million dollars.

Gerard Landry Director of communications