Several months after concluding a 21-year tenure with the Ontario Sire Stakes programme, which prevented her from owning a racehorse, Karen Hauver was urged by her father to consider co-ownership of a promising two-year-old filly pacer.
Hauver's father, the esteemed horseman Keith Waples, acquired the filly named Karma Seelster for $127,000 at the 2018 London Selected Yearling Sale, expressing his confidence in her potential success as she approached her maiden qualifier.
Subsequently, both Hauver and her mother, Eileen, secured a quarter share in the horse, a decision that proved to be astute. Karma Seelster blossomed into a multiple stakes victor at two, an O'Brien Award contender at three, and recently surpassed the million-dollar earnings milestone in July.
Following Keith's passing in 2021 and Eileen's in the subsequent year, Hauver and her brother, Gord, assumed co-ownership of Karma Seelster. The mare is set to make her 2024 debut in an invitational event for fillies and mares at MGM Yonkers Raceway this Friday, initiating her journey towards the upcoming Blue Chip Matchmaker Series in the following month.
Reflecting on their shared journey with Karma Seelster, Hauver conveyed,
"She has truly been a significant presence in my life. I immensely enjoyed the moments when my parents and I were actively involved in her racing pursuits. Despite their limited presence at the racetracks, I ensured to keep them updated post each race. It was a source of great joy for all of us".
Karma Seelster, sired by Sportswriter-Kiddie Cocktail, boasts an impressive track record of 23 wins in 93 races, with additional placements in 40 races, accumulating earnings exceeding $1.1 million. Notable victories include the Battle of the Belles as a two-year-old, the SBOA Stakes for Ontario-sired three-year-old filly pacers in the subsequent season, and a Milton Stakes elimination triumph at age four.
Described as a mare with exceptional determination and heart, Karma Seelster's affinity for half-mile track competitions has been instrumental in her success. Despite facing challenges on larger tracks, she has excelled in the smaller circuits, showcasing her competitive spirit and tenacity.
Trained by Gregg McNair in Canada and Andrew Adamczyk in the United States, Karma Seelster has amassed an impressive record of 17 wins and 35 top-three finishes in 46 races on half-mile tracks throughout her career. Her participation in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers has been particularly noteworthy, with multiple strong showings in the preliminary rounds.
Looking ahead to Karma Seelster's upcoming races, Hauver remains optimistic about her chances for success, highlighting the mare's consistent performance and unwavering effort. Despite the challenges posed by the competitive field, Hauver and her team are committed to supporting Karma Seelster in her pursuit of further accolades and victories.
Beyond her involvement in the racing world, Hauver continues to play an active role in promoting harness racing as a director of the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance. This non-profit organisation, now in its second year, aims to cultivate partnerships and programmes that engage young individuals and the wider public with the Standardbred industry, with a focus on education and outreach initiatives.
Reflecting on the Alliance's progress, Hauver expressed satisfaction with the positive response received from various events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and appreciation for Standardbred racing among diverse audiences. The organisation's efforts to engage students through contests and educational programmes have been well-received, fostering enthusiasm and interest in the sport among newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.