From the West Coast to Woodbine: Tara Neigel is Finding Her Stride

March 5, 2026

TORONTO, March 5, 2025— Acclimating to a new life at Woodbine, nearly 4,400 kilometres from home, wasn’t meant to happen overnight for Tara Neigel – but through time, patience, and plenty of ambition, the trainer continues to grow in stride with her surroundings.

“The first year, in 2024, was really tough because I didn't know anyone,” said Neigel. “I didn't know the exercise riders, the jockeys, the agents, everything. It's all a learning process – even just the different protocols – there was so much to learn.

“The second year I felt a little bit more settled in, seeing familiar faces and picking up even more,” she continued. “Each year it gets a little bit more comfortable.”

A native of Victoria, British Columbia, Neigel laid her racing roots on the mainland at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, which saw its 133-year run of live Thoroughbred racing end this past December.

While leaving the track where she launched her career was by no means an easy choice, Neigel made a pre-emptive decision to relocate her stable to Woodbine ahead of the 2024 season.

“I know I left Hastings a little bit prematurely, but I think the opportunities are out here for anyone willing to work hard enough.”

Neigel certainly fits the bill.

Ahead of her third – and what she hopes will be her most successful – season at Canada’s premier Thoroughbred venue, Neigel has spent the offseason honing her craft south of the border at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

The early returns have been promising.

“A couple of the horses we have are doing well here at Gulfstream, so they'll be fit to run when we get to Woodbine and hopefully, we can do well at the beginning of the season using their fitness,” she said. “That was a big focus for the winter.

“They're a little bit nicer class of horses, so if we can win a couple of races, I can purchase a couple more horses for my owner group and build the stable that way.”

Growing the stable she shares with veteran horseman Steve Owens has long been a goal of Neigel’s – even when it felt out of reach in the early days of her Woodbine tenure.

“My Hastings horses couldn't really compete the first year,” she recalled. “The only one who could compete at Woodbine was Addendum. She ran a great race and then was unfortunately claimed, so it was a little disappointing to lose her just because she progressed really well.”

Despite losing the Mucho Macho Man mare at an inopportune time, Neigel was able to put the funds towards methodically building out her stable.

The results started showing up on the scoresheet in 2025, courtesy of one of those prudent purchases, Brittany’s Way.

Neigel and Owens purchased the now 4-year-old daughter of St. Patrick’s Day–Lottery Queen for $21,000 at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale.

The returns were immediate.

“We won our first start with her,” said Neigel, citing the neck’s decision on July 19 at Woodbine. “That was really exciting, and she's been a really consistent performer for us.”

Already with a third and second from two starts at Gulfstream this season, Brittany’s Way is 1-2-1 across seven starts for Neigel and Owens, earning nearly $40,000 in that span.

Alongside her prized filly, Neigel is also bullish on Split Strike, a 4-year-old gelding out of Take Charge Indy mare Spilt Time.

“He ran two really good races and then needed a bit of time off, so we gave him a nice break,” said Neigel of the horse her team claimed for $12,500 last March. “It was about four or five months, and we just brought him back to Gulfstream.

“He's run really well for us. He won an open $25,000 and then ran a nice race in a $12,500 starter to start the year. I was really happy with that, and I think he'll be a really nice horse to bring back to Woodbine in the spring. I'm excited about him.”

With two stalwarts in place and the 2026 Woodbine season getting out of the gates on April 18, Neigel remains committed to rounding out her roster of racehorses in anticipation of making an impact in the Toronto oval trainer standings.

Her plan for achieving that goal is in place.

“I’m focused on getting my horses to a good level where they can perform at their best. From there, hopefully I can meet some new owners, acquire new clients, and try to be a little bit more social and not always in the barn.”

For Neigel, who tends to her barn of six with Owens, a hands-on approach doesn’t always lend itself to networking, but that’s just another part of the business she’s eager to hone.

“It’s about meeting more people, keeping up with personal growth, learning more about the business, and moving forward that way.”

Balancing a new life on the track while adjusting to a new city off the track has also taken time for the self-described “homebody,” who enjoys spending the rare down time she has with her dog, three cats, and visiting family members.

“I like walking my dog in Toronto. There are some beautiful parks there. I’m getting to know the city still because I’ve spent most of my time at Woodbine. I do have family come visit and get a chance to do things with them, go out and try different restaurants and things like that, which is nice too since they all live on the West Coast.

“It's not just learning Woodbine and the racing out here and everything, it's exploring a whole new city as well.”

Neigel is feeling more comfortable, personally and professionally, with each passing day.

“I appreciate the Woodbine community being so welcoming. With Hastings shutting down, I think there are a few more West Coast trainers coming out, and hopefully, we can add a little bit to Woodbine. I've found it to be a really welcoming community, and I’m very thankful for that.

“I came out with my little string that couldn't quite compete, but we managed to win a race the first year with Addendum.”

Which, in hindsight, set the foundation for Neigel's unwavering pursuit of Woodbine success.

“It's just about getting a little better every year… build, build, build.”

Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine