The late Dr. Bob Webster began his breeding operation when he, his
wife Nina, and their family established Hollylaine Island Farm in 1972.
Starting out raising one foal their initial year, they went on to hold the
Canadian record as breeding and registering at least one standardbred
foal each and every year for over 40 consecutive years.
The third generation horseman was first introduced to harness racing as
a young boy back in the 1930s, when he would tag along with his father,
Wilber, to Old Home Week. His experience working with horses came
early in life as they were his family’s main means of transportation into
town from their small, water-powered flour and sawmill farm in Marie,
Prince Edward Island. Going back even further in time, Bob’s
grandfather, for whom he had been named, was also a horseman.
Bob grew up on his family’s farm in the small town while attending a
one room schoolhouse. After missing a couple years of education due to
his father’s ailing health, he set his sights on becoming a veterinarian,
and with the encouragement of some incredibly supportive neighbors,
Bob returned to school to pursue his career. Despite facing the learning
handicaps associated with dyslexia, he persevered throughout his studies
at the Prince Of Wales College in Charlottetown for four years and then
at the Ontario Veterinary College (now the University of Guelph) for
another five years.
Upon graduation in 1959, he returned to P.E.I. to work in a mixed
practice, but was soon drawn to equine medicine and reproduction.
Bob, who served as director of the American Association of Equine
Practitioners (AAEP) for 10 years representing Atlantic Canada,
practiced veterinary medicine for 35 years until he and his partners sold
their practice in 1987 to the veterinary college. Bob later retired in 1994,
but still kept up his license to continue reproductive work at the farm for
15 more years.
He purchased his first stud in 1976, A C S Dandy, with a solid 2:00
record and stood many others over the years, including Lightning Speed,
Stargaze Hanover, Nukes Lobell, This Cams For You, Lisryan, Force Of
Life and Sea Gull Hershey.
The Webster family raised approximately 350 foals over the years,
including stakes champions like Island Cindy, Island Quisite, Island
Ribbon, Island Reba, Island Storm, Island Tradition, Island Galeforce,
and Island Redemption.
Bob was recognized as the top breeder in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes over its
first 75 years, and won the Glen Kennedy Memorial Award twice for
exceptional contributions to the breeding industry. Bob passed away in
April, 2020.