In 1937, at the age of eight, Russell James “R.J.” Bennett approached the starting line of a course that would shape his life and influence an industry. Most eight-year-olds are likely to spend their money on candy and toys, but R.J. closed his first horse acquisition – a pony for just five dollars, including a saddle. This purchase wasn’t influenced by his family, as their only connection to horses was those used strictly for working purposes. Rather, buying a horse for pleasure was entirely of R.J.’s own volition. This five-buck-pony, whom R.J. named Flame, was the spark to ignite a lifelong passion and renowned career with horses. R.J. had an adoration for equines most of his life. He bought many different horses in his teens, all of which gave him a run for his money as he took risks with them, a characteristic that proved to stick with R.J. throughout his life and career. Eventually, his attention was gripped by one specific breed of horse, the Thoroughbred. When R.J. was a young man, he went on a trip with his dad to California, and they took in racing at Santa Anita. This father-son excursion was pivotal. Beyond the trip serving as a precious bonding experience, it ushered R.J. into an industry in which he would eventually become an icon.
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The love of horses from a young age guided R.J. along many paths, and eventually, it led him to the greatest love of his life, his leading lady and wife, Lois. The pair married in 1961 and enhanced the Bennett family bloodlines by welcoming four children. R.J. and Lois raised their own children and their large brood of horses in West Kelowna. Along the picturesque shores of Okanagan Lake, framed by lushly vegetated mountains and valleys, is the Bennett family’s piece of paradise, Flying Horse Farm. This property has welcomed humans and horses from distances near and far. Its population swells and recedes with the roll of the horse breeding tides. R.J.’s first Thoroughbred acquisition was a mare named Rodo purchased from Talbot Creek Farm in the late 1950’s. The original intention was to train Rodo for jumping. However, plans were thwarted once they discovered she was in foal to a Thoroughbred stallion. After the foal arrived, R.J. registered Rodo’s colt as R.J. Ladd to be his first racehorse. Lois recalls that horse racing was the only place to be at this time, and it was all very fun and exciting.
From this point forward, the trajectory for Flying Horse Farms set on the path it is best known for today, an award-winning Thoroughbred racing and breeding farm. It met its peak in horses in the 1990’s, standing several stallions at that time – including Maudlin and Dixieland Brass – resulting in well over one hundred visiting mares. Lois says, “Years ago, we stopped counting our stakes winners when they surpassed forty. It has been said that Flying Horse Farms has known over sixty stakes winners, but we would have to revisit that count to be certain.” Their most recent success was due to acquiring Sungold, a stallion by A.P. Indy who was part of a dispersal of 22 horses.
One of RJ’s favourite quotes
Don’t mistake luck for genius.
Hands down, the most famous horse of Flying Horse Farms was Travelling Victor. The colt they bred made history in 1983 when he became the first horse not raced in Ontario to win Horse of the Year honours in Canada as well as a Sovereign Award for the Older Horse category. In 1983, the Bennetts also won a Sovereign Award as Breeder of the Year.
As horse breeders, both R.J. and Lois are frontrunners within British Columbia, Canada, and beyond. With such success, one may wonder if there is a formula they follow or specific attributes within the horses sought by R.J. and Lois. Lois said they paid a lot of attention to bloodlines. R.J. and Lois were some of the first from British Columbia to go to Kentucky to buy mares in foal to bring back. They made many trips to Kentucky breeding stock sales to find mares in foal to improve the bloodlines at Flying Horse Farm. Lois says that she and R.J. agreed you must examine a horse’s race record, conformation, and breeding for optimal results. It was the broodmares they pursued with all three of these traits as well as her produce record.
Horse racing wasn’t the only thrill R.J. had with horses. From his horse Flame, which he trained to rear like Trigger, to his celebrated showjumping Cleveland bay named Stockbroker, who together they won many awards in the showjumping world. In a myriad of ways, horses were a big part of the Bennett’s family life, too. As members of the Kelowna Riding Club, the Bennett family were some of the original members responsible for purchasing the land for the club. Three of their four children enjoyed riding and competing with horses, and all four had been involved with the horses on the farm. Lois states the family traveled a lot, met many interesting people, and made lifelong friends – all because of horses.
The Bennett family competed at many local clubs, including Kelowna, Vernon, Peachland, Salmon Arm, IPE Armstrong, Penticton, Kamloops, south Okanagan, the Pacific National Exhibition, and several areas of Alberta, Washington, and Oregon. In the earliest years before the highways were set, the Bennetts sent their horses to events by train, and one person would always travel with them. Eventually, R.J. and Lois became one of the first to own a horse trailer in the Okanagan, which was built locally by their friend Bill Cameron.
Horses were the reason the Bennett family traveled widely. Their many adventures introduced them to countless interesting people and saw them forging lifelong friendships. Mention the Bennett family name in any equine circles, and you’re likely to find their admirers.
Rosanne is the daughter of R.J. and Lois, and she fondly remembers the family traveling together and participating in equine-related sports. At the time of Rosanne’s youth, tent pegging was popular with the local clubs, the Vernon Riding Club and the Kelowna Riding Club, and a Bennett family favourite. Tent pegging was a race and a great spectator event – usually the last competition of the day. The premise was this: tent pegs were evenly placed in a row in the ground. Riders raced with a spear in hand, galloped towards the tent peg, and speared it – it was about speed and accuracy. Riders raced two abreast, sometimes four teams also comprised of two or four riders.
R.J. crossed the finish line for a final time on July 5, 2024. He is survived by his wife and four children. He greatly impacted the Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and jumping industries in ways difficult to quantify. However, R.J. and Lois created a life that can easily be described as iconic and legendary. It is safe to say that R.J. Bennett created a legacy to last many decades to come.
R.J. & Lois Bennett were inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2016, they were recognized with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit. They are considered the most successful horse breeders in British Columbia’s history. R.J. and Lois Bennet were immersed in the breeding and racing industry for more than five decades.
Article by Amber Zierath, Photos from the Bennett family
About Amber
Amber is a Calgary-based, equine-focused writer and the author of the best-selling fiction novel Horse Karma. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her with the horses; riding bareback in the mountains or spending time with the 60 geldings that inspire her. Learn more at: www.amberzierath.com.
