The story of Sedburys Ghost is, at heart, the story of Yawen Wu. In a sport built on patience and long horizons, Sedburys Ghost became the embodiment of years of quiet dedication, careful planning and unwavering belief. For Wu, success on the track was never simply about numbers in a race-day program — it was about stewardship, family and the deeply personal journey that begins long before a horse reaches the starting gate.
Wu’s affinity for horses did not suddenly appear when she and her husband, James Mann, entered breeding and ownership in 2007. It had always been there, waiting to be expressed. Today, at Spirit Run Farm on Lake Scugog, Thoroughbreds shape the rhythm of her days and the values that guide her life.
“These horses give my life structure, purpose and perspective,” Wu said. “They bring discipline and responsibility into my life. From breeding decisions to development and care, it reinforces patience, trust and doing things the right way. Success is about stewardship and never, ever giving up.”
An engineer by profession and co-owner of a renewable energy firm in North York, Wu applies the same precision to racing that she does to business. For her, being both breeder and owner is not a hobby — it is a way of life.
Everything begins with stallion selection and the careful planning of a mating. Then comes the 11-month wait, the foaling, and the gradual transformation from weanling to yearling to racehorse in training. The process is long and often uncertain, but when a homebred reaches the winner’s circle, the moment resonates far beyond the finish line.
Sedburys Ghost Delivers a Breakthrough
Sedburys Ghost provided that breakthrough in unforgettable fashion. The homebred son of Shaman Ghost captured three victories in 2025, highlighted by a determined 1¼-length triumph in the Plate Trial Stakes. That performance earned him a place in the starting gate for The King’s Plate, a milestone that validated Wu’s breeding program at the highest level.
Though he finished off the board in the Plate itself, Sedburys Ghost had already etched his name into the family’s story. He later added two third-place finishes, including a closing effort in the Lake Ontario Stakes on November 21 — his final start of the season. By year’s end, he had amassed more than $106,000 in earnings.
For Wu, Sedburys Ghost was more than a stakes winner. He was proof that patience and belief can bear fruit.
“It was inspiring and validating as both a breeder and an owner,” she said. “Seeing a horse I brought into the world perform at that level reinforced everything I love about this journey — the planning, the patience and the attention to detail. It was the reward for years of effort and belief.”
The success of Sedburys Ghost has fuelled fresh ambition. Wu now looks to the next generation of homebreds with renewed confidence, eager to build on the foundation he helped establish.
Sedburys Ghost and the Family Legacy
If Sedburys Ghost symbolises achievement, he also represents something even more meaningful: family. Wu and Mann’s four children have grown up immersed in the rhythms of farm life — from foaling nights to quiet drives home after a tough race.
There have been missed dinners and postponed holidays, but those sacrifices have forged bonds that stretch beyond the sport. Several of Wu’s horses — Hurricane Mimi, Hurricane Amelia, Wesley’s Garage and Maylee’s Revenge — are named after her children, weaving the family narrative directly into the stable roster.
“This sport teaches patience, resilience and perspective,” Wu reflected. “Not every plan works out, and setbacks are part of the journey. But the horses have become part of our family’s story and values.”
Even Wu’s cream-coloured silks carry that shared imprint. Designed with input from her daughter Jamie, the colours feature pink sleeve bands and a black cursive ‘YW’ across the chest — a visual reminder of the collective effort behind every runner.
Looking ahead to 2026, Wu is preparing six horses to return to competition, all under the care of trainer Barb Minshall. As always, the approach will remain measured and methodical.
Each season brings new challenges, but if Sedburys Ghost proved anything, it is that belief — when matched with discipline — can turn long-held dreams into tangible triumphs.
Wu and her family are ready for the ride.
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