For Kevin Honsberger, Barn No. 39 on the Woodbine backstretch is more than just a workplace; it’s a sanctuary. The short, less than five-minute walk from his dorm room to the shedrow each morning, rain or shine, is a journey he cherishes. It’s a stroll to where he is surrounded by Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll’s Thoroughbreds during the racing season. Honsberger describes it as a “world-class barn” filled with friends, a place where “everyone has been there for years, and everyone gets along.” This deep connection to his work and the horses he cares for has made him the September recipient of the Horse Person of the Month award, presented by New Holland.
Honsberger’s journey into the world of horse racing began 40 years ago, far from the Woodbine backstretch. Growing up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, his teenage years were marked by regular visits to Fort Erie Racetrack with his father and brother. A particularly successful day at the betting windows sparked a life-changing idea: a career in racing. “One weekend, I hit a bunch of triactors, so I took a leave of absence from my job,” Honsberger recalls. “I didn’t work for about a month and then I started thinking that finding one in racing might be a good idea.” With no prior experience around horses beyond watching them in the paddock, he took a chance and started as a groom for trainer Paul Griffo in 1987, a decision that set him on a path he has never regretted.
Initially, Honsberger harbored ambitions of becoming a trainer, dedicating himself to studying the craft. While that specific path didn’t materialize, his passion for Thoroughbred racing and its equine athletes only intensified. He found himself working for Dr. Ralph Biamonte, a fellow Niagara Falls native and a prominent trainer. “Ralph was from Niagara Falls [Ontario] – and so I am I – and he was hockey coach there too,” Honsberger shared. He spent several seasons working with Biamonte in West Virginia and Ohio before returning to Fort Erie in 1996. After a successful period back at Fort Erie, where they managed a promising group of two-year-olds, Honsberger moved on following some restructuring within Biamonte’s stable.
His career then led him to Sam-Son Farm, a legendary name in Canadian racing. During his summer there as a hotwalker, Honsberger encountered Tot of Rum, a seasoned gelding with a reputation for being challenging. “I used to walk Tot of Rum as a 3-year-old,” Honsberger reminisced. “All the hotwalkers would wait for the 2-year-olds and we are all standing there. I was the new guy there and I remember I asked, ‘Who is going to take this one?’ They were all hiding from this guy. He broke the arm of the hotwalker before, so no one was interested in walking him.” Honsberger, however, stepped up, forming a unique bond with the difficult horse. “We got along very good. He was tough to handle, but we were good together.” Following his time at Sam-Son Farm, Honsberger spent a season with trainer Sanford Champagne.
Tragedy struck when Honsberger’s sister became very ill with cancer. He put his racing career on hold for a couple of years to care for her children, managing their school runs and extracurricular activities. After her passing, Honsberger knew he needed to re-enter the workforce. Finding horse racing opportunities scarce in Niagara Falls, he considered a bold move. “One day, I said to myself, ‘Maybe I will take a shot at working at Woodbine,’” he recalled. He discovered trainer Tino Attard was hiring and quickly secured a grooming position, along with a room in the backstretch dormitory.
Recognizing that the fast pace of grooming was perhaps not the best fit for him at that stage, Honsberger found his niche as a hotwalker. A friend working for Josie Carroll informed him of an opening. Although they initially needed a hotwalker, Honsberger ended up taking on a role as a swing groom in 2009. This position placed him in close proximity to notable horses like Inglorious, the winner of the 2011 Oaks and Queen’s Plate, and multiple graded stakes winner Careless Jewel. Despite the stress of being the “new guy” in a long-established team, Honsberger eventually transitioned back to being a groom for five horses, a role he has maintained ever since.
Among the horses under his care, Ami’s Mesa stands out as Honsberger’s all-time favorite. This homebred mare, also a multiple graded stakes winner, had a remarkable 2017 season, winning four consecutive races, including three graded events, and finishing second in the Grade 1 Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar. Unfortunately, Honsberger had to undergo heart surgery, receiving stents, just before some of Ami’s Mesa’s biggest triumphs. The procedure proved to be a turning point, rejuvenating him and allowing him to once again manage five horses in a demanding environment.
Josie Carroll speaks highly of Honsberger, calling him “a valuable member of our team,” and emphasizing his “caring person” nature and his deep love for the horses. Honsberger himself expresses profound gratitude for being able to work at Woodbine, which he considers “the very definition of home, sweet home.” He considers it “the finest facility for training horses anywhere – it’s a world-class place,” praising the dormitory and kitchen staff. Honsberger’s sentiment is clear: he “can’t imagine being anywhere else” and “would stay here forever if I could.”
