Early Beginnings
Carl Anderson was only 13 when Assiniboia Downs opened its doors in 1958, but his love for horses quickly drew him to the track, located not far from his childhood home near what is now Sturgeon Road. From the start, Carl developed a deep passion for the sport, finding ways to make pocket money by walking horses for trainers like Duke Campbell and Tommy Patton. His connection to Assiniboia Downs became more than just a job—it grew into a lifelong dedication.
In the years following, Carl took any work he could find around the Downs, from 1958 to 1963. It wasn’t long before his skills caught the eye of the racing community, and by 1964, at the age of 19, he earned his trainer’s licenсse. He made Assiniboia Downs his home base, but as a horseman, Carl led a nomadic existence, often travelling with his horses. His career took him to various provinces, spending time training full-time in Saskatchewan for about a decade, and also working in Alberta. But despite his journeys, his heart remained tied to Assiniboia Downs.
From 1979 to 2002, Carl divided his time primarily between Saskatchewan and the oil regions of Canada, continuing to return regularly to Winnipeg. He even ventured south of the border when Canadian tracks went dark. In 2003, Carl made Assiniboia Downs his permanent home once again, staying true to his roots despite the many years spent crisscrossing the country.
A Storied Career in Horse Racing
Throughout his career, Carl took on various roles at the Downs, such as working on the gate crew in the early days and later serving as a Parade Marshall for the harness meets in the early 1970s. By the late 1960s, Carl was handling yearlings at Jack Hardy’s JY Farm. His dedication to the sport paid off over time, and from 1987 to 1998, he claimed 10 leading trainer titles in Saskatchewan. His remarkable achievement in 1989, where he recorded 62 victories, earned him Canada’s top trainer award, and in May 1990, he saddled his 1,000th career winner in Winnipeg.
Carl's success continued well into the 2000s. In 2009, he tied with Tom Gardipy Jr. for the Assiniboia Downs leading trainer title, each with 45 wins for the season. Over the years, Carl has won numerous prestigious stakes races in Winnipeg, including four Gold Cups and three R. J. Speers Memorials, solidifying his status as one of the best trainers in the region.
Stories of Carl's racing accomplishments are many, but one particularly notable evening took place on June 25, 1969. Teaming up with Max Freed's Maxwell King Stables, Carl saddled five horses that night. Remarkably, four of those horses won their races, with the fifth placing third. Even more incredible, all four winners were bred by Max Freed, trained by Carl, ridden by Dick Armstrong, and sired by Freed's stallion Joe Wilson—a feat that stands out as a unique moment in racing history.
Another story that showcases Carl's resourcefulness happened on June 23, 1974, when his truck and horse trailer suffered flat tires en route to the track, leaving him and his five-year-old mare, Sylvadust, stranded 10 miles away. Not one to be easily deterred, Carl saddled the mare and rode her cross-country to the Downs. Arriving just in time for her race, Sylvadust went on to win by three lengths.
Throughout his career, Carl remained committed to his horses, his barn staff, and his owners, never faltering in his loyalty despite the challenges that come with a life in racing. His relationship with his brother, Leonard, grew especially close over the years, with the two becoming a team as they faced Leonard's health issues together. When Leonard passed away in Carl’s arms on December 14, 2015, it marked a difficult chapter in Carl’s life. Grieving deeply, Carl stepped away from racing, selling his equipment and retiring after more than 50 years in the sport.
Comeback and Legacy
However, Carl couldn’t stay away forever. After a four-year hiatus, he returned to the track in 2020, albeit on a smaller scale. Now in his late 70s, Carl prefers a more focused approach, aiming for quality over quantity. In 2020, he maintained an impressive win-place-show percentage of 93%, which currently sits at 62%.
Carl's extensive experience—over five decades—has earned him a reputation as an old-school horseman who can make the most out of even the most challenging horses. He’s known for developing young horses and drawing out their potential, a skill that sets him apart from others in the industry. His quiet, humble approach has garnered respect among peers, and as Assiniboia Downs resumed racing on September 11, Carl marked his 1,200th career victory when Sugar Daddy Jack was placed first through disqualification.
Reflecting on his long career, Carl acknowledges the early mornings and hard work that have defined his life in racing. Having started as a 13-year-old kid walking horses, Carl went on to win 10 trainer titles in Saskatchewan, tie for the top spot at Assiniboia Downs in 2009, and claim Canada’s top trainer award in 1989. His storied career includes many wins for Maxwell King Stable and four victories in the Gold Cup, one of the toughest races for older horses at Assiniboia Downs.
Although Carl briefly retired from training in 2015, his love for the sport brought him back in 2020. Today, at 79 years old, he continues to train a select few horses, proving that his passion for the sport remains as strong as ever.