The Inspiring Journey of Alberta Jockey Chris McGregor: From Trials to Hall of Fame Triumph

Year after year, former jockey Chris McGregor would pass by the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame located on the eastern side of the monotonous Highway 2, just outside of Red Deer, Alberta. His usual route took him between Calgary and Edmonton, and he couldn't help but be curious about the Hall of Fame.

"I always thought it would be incredibly special if I could be inducted," he shared. "I once stopped by, but unfortunately, the doors were locked." However, things have changed now. McGregor has recently been announced as one of the inductees for this year's Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, joining a prestigious list of Alberta sports legends that includes Johnny Longden, Jimmy Fitzsimmons, and Sandy Shields, who were all accomplished jockeys themselves.

The official induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 24. Now 64 years old, retired in 2006 after a remarkable career spanning from 1979 to 2006. Throughout his illustrious tenure, he achieved 2,248 victories, with his mounts earning an impressive $13.2 million in prize money. "It still hasn't fully sunk in," he admitted. "To be nominated was a great honour in itself, but to be recognised as an athlete and to be inducted is an extraordinary achievement."

Talent and perseverance were evident in his exceptional racing career. He achieved the distinction of winning the most races in Canada twice, in 1990 and 1992. In 1990, he triumphed in an outstanding 229 races, and two years later, he secured victory in 204 races. These remarkable performances led to McGregor being named a finalist for the prestigious Sovereign Awards, recognising Canada's best jockey, in both of those seasons.

But success extended beyond mere race wins. He demonstrated his prowess by winning nearly every stakes race in Alberta, including two victories in the Canadian Derby. He achieved his first Canadian Derby win in 1995 with Sovacianto and followed it up with another triumph in 2000 aboard Scotman. In 1990 alone, he emerged victorious in an impressive 11-stakes racerace.

However, his journey as a jockey was not without its challenges. His introduction to thoroughbred racing occurred in 1976 when he was just 16 years old, during a family camping trip to Millarville, where a one-day card was featured at the town's annual fair. It was there that he first witnessed the sport and felt a strong connection to it. Chris, who had already excelled in boxing and kickboxing, saw his relatively small size and athleticism as assets that could propel him to success in horse racing.

His competitive nature was intensified by his background in combat sports. He possessed an unwavering desire to win every race he competed in and would become frustrated when victory eluded him. His late top agent, John Heath, described Chris’s approach to racing, stating that he treated each race as a fight, displaying immense aggression and a distaste for losing.

Determination, combined with his athletic abilities and relentless pursuit of victory, contributed to his remarkable achievements in the world of horse racing. Furthermore, his exceptional riding skills were complemented by his remarkable physical fitness, which he diligently maintained through regular gym sessions. His dedication to training made him incredibly fit and strong, further enhancing his abilities as a jockey.

Nevertheless, his path to success required a great deal of perseverance. At the age of 16, McGregor decided to leave school, much to the disappointment of his parents, Hugh and Pauline. Hugh had been working in oil exploration in the Middle East, and both he and Pauline had adopted the kid in Lebanon. A year before his adoption, they had also adopted his brother Mark and a daughter named Josette.

Pauline explained that they had turned to adoption because they were unable to have children of their own. She described Chris as being born with a heart defect and recalled that at 11 months old, he weighed a mere 11 pounds, making him frail and thin. Despite his challenging start, Chris always possessed an immense desire to succeed.

"I gave every horse a shot," he reflected on his early days in racing. He began his racetrack career working for trainer Gordon Connolly, who had a small stable of just five horses. Riding horses of all types, from favourites to longshots, in big-scale races and modest claiming races. Regardless of the circumstances, he gave each horse his best effort. Even if he aimed to finish fifth and earn enough money for the owner to cover the jockey fee, he refused to give up and settle for sixth place. Dedication and ambitious spirit were evident in every aspect of his life.

"I was always super competitive at everything I did," he asserted. He grew up in Calgary, living next door to Joe Carbury, a renowned Calgary horse racing and chuckwagon announcer who also earned a place in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Living in Cochrane, just west of Calgary, Chris's temperament matched his cutthroat spirit. He confessed to having a less-than-ideal temper and getting angry when he lost races. His frustration was compounded by spending the first four years of his career at the racetrack without being given a chance to ride in an actual race. Working diligently, starting by grooming horses for two years and then progressing to galloping them in the mornings. Despite his efforts, he was continually overlooked in favour of more experienced riders.

The repeated rejections took a toll on his morale, leading to feelings of being used and becoming increasingly depressed. However, trainer Dale Saunders, a prominent figure in Alberta's racing scene, finally provided him with an opportunity to ride in a race. On October 17, 1979, his first victory came in his debut race aboard Semi Poll, a horse that was considered an outsider and paid $32 to win.

In 1980, career took off as he became Alberta's leading apprentice jockey, winning 64 races out of 665 mounts. He also retained the title of Alberta's top apprentice the following year. However, once he lost his apprentice allowance, opportunities for live mounts became scarce. In 1982, he only had 136 opportunities to ride. Despite being sought after for morning workouts, trainers often turned to more experienced riders for race day.

Discouraged by the lack of opportunities in Alberta, he rode in smaller fair meets in places like High River and Grande Prairie. He then ventured to Saskatchewan, where he had a successful season in 1985, winning 109 races and becoming the province's leading rider. Chris eventually returned to Alberta in 1987, and from that point on, his career soared.

In 1987, which was a breakout year, winning 176 races in Edmonton and Calgary. He maintained an impressive win rate of 24 per cent and finished in the top three 56 per cent of the time that season. The best years were from 1990 to 1993 when his mounts earned over $1 million each year. During this period, he rode both inexpensive claiming horses and some of the finest horses to grace Alberta's tracks.

Notable achievements during McGregor's prime years include his partnership with Majestic Horizon, who won 21 races (10 in 1990 alone), Arctic Laur, who also won 21 races, and Roll On Briartic, who won 23 of just 47 career starts. In 1990, he guided Majestic Horizon to victory in the Alberta Derby, the Hoofprint On My Heart Handicap, and the Beaufort. The following year, they captured the prestigious Speed to Spare, the richest race in Alberta for older horses. In 1992, he and Majestic Horizon triumphed in the Pick 3 Classic.

Success continued with remarkable consistency, winning 188 races in 1991, 204 races in 1992, and 150 races in 1993. His hard work and dedication to the sport were evident as he gave his best effort with every mount, whether they were high-calibre horses or cheap claiming ones.

In addition to Majestic Horizon's stakes wins in 1991, achieving further success that season. He won the Edmonton Juvenile with I Want Fifty-Three, the Bellevue Handicap with Lady Alta, the Western Canada and Alberta Breeders' races with Briartic Romance, the Chariot Chaser aboard Ever Thus, and the Ken Pearson Memorial with Poles Candy. McGregor's victories were not limited to stakes races, as he demonstrated his skill and versatility across various types of races.

However, the 1991 season also had its challenges. On October 3, McGregor was involved in a spill just past the finish line at Calgary's Stampede Park when another horse veered into his path. As a result, he suffered three crushed vertebrae and a broken neck. While recovering in the hospital, both physical and emotional difficulties we faced. He felt depressed hearing about his stake horses winning while he was unable to ride. Despite the severity of his injuries, he checked himself out of the hospital on November 8, against the advice of the doctors who recommended he stay for an additional 2 or 3 weeks.

This injury was not the first setback he had faced in his career. Earlier, in the spring of 1981, he had been involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a broken ankle, wrist, arm, nose, and severe facial lacerations. However, resilience and determination allowed him to overcome these obstacles and continue pursuing his passion for horse racing.

In 1992, he found success with I Want Fifty-Three, winning the Ky Alta and the Western Canada Handicap. He also triumphed in the Junior Miss with Dusty Deputy and Devoted Brass in the Breeders' Cup Alberta Juvenile.

The following year, McGregor began the racing season in Toronto, winning 16 races at Woodbine and Greenwood Racecourses, showcasing his ability to ride successfully in different racing jurisdictions. Upon returning to Alberta in the spring of 1993, he continued his winning streak, securing victories in races such as the Herald Gold Plate and the Speed To Spare with Arctic Laur, the Duchess of York with Wishes Three, the Princess Margaret with Tiny Boots, and the Saskatchewan Derby riding Isntthatnice.

His career continued to flourish, with one win after another until his retirement in the spring of 2006. As a natural lightweight rider who didn't need to undergo extensive weight reduction like many other jockeys, McGregor had the advantage of being able to focus on his riding skills. He also had a talented agent, Heath, who placed him on horses with winning potential. Exceptional talent, combined with his unwavering courage, earned him a well-deserved place in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

Reflecting on his journey, Chris emphasised his refusal to give up and his enduring love for horse racing. His story serves as an inspiration to others, reminding them to persevere and never abandon their passions.