SC Rewind: Grasshopper Flats

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recounts the long, interesting and story filled history of a small racetrack located in Eastern Ontario. From its quaint nickname to the long list of horse people who have been residents there, it makes for an interesting story.

​A scenic view of the Grasshopper Flats property and training track located north of Cobourg, Ont.

The story of one of Canada's longest surviving racetracks and its role as an early training centre is a most interesting tale and also by now quite lengthy. Known by the rather quaint moniker 'Grasshopper Flats', it is a somewhat unique piece of Canadian harness racing history that has remained in relative obscurity for much of its existence. Thanks to the assistance of a few of its founders' family members and others, I am able to put together a short reminiscence about its past and present.

The coming to be of what was later to be known as 'Grasshopper Flats' started way back in 1948 when a trio of gentlemen interested in harness racing purchased a piece of land for the purpose of starting a training centre. Located some five miles north of the Town of Cobourg, Ont. in Hamilton Township, Northumberland County, the plot of real estate contained about 33 acres characterized by gently rolling countryside. These three forward thinking fellows named Jack Gordon, Clifford Hie and Basil Samons shelled out the princely sum of $300 in total for a piece of the farm of Milton Jibb. Thus began the beloved Grasshopper Flats racetrack.

​A monument to the founders of the Hamilton Township Track better known by its long time nickname Grasshopper Flats. It was started back in 1948 and is still in use today as a training centre. The granite marker pays tribute to Cliff and Edith Hie as well as Jack and Floris Gordon for their combined efforts in creating this training centre.

Although located in a fairly prosperous and fertile agricultural area, this piece of land was not held in high regard for its farming potential, thus the fact that it was available for sale. Its characteristics also led to its catchy nickname. It was nestled in a rural area that included the small hamlets either currently or formerly known as Plainville, Gores Landing, Baltimore, Cold Springs, Precious Corners and Harwood Village. For some perhaps unexplained reason, there seemed to be an abnormally large number of horse enthusiasts in the area. In time, many of them either stabled there or used the track for training their hopefuls. It undoubtedly has also served as a visiting spot for countless "horsey" folks.

​​A couple of horses in training at Grasshopper Flats pause for a picture during the mid 1950's. The two horsemen are Murray Garrick and Roddie MacRae with members of the Jack Gordon stable being readied for the coming season.

First formally known as Hamilton Township Race Track, it soon took on the nickname it has carried pretty much throughout its existence. Legend has it that a horse owner named Malcolm Bailey is credited with coming up with the ingenious name. This man, who hailed from Uxbridge, Ont., began to visit the facility to see a couple of his horses in training and noticed that the property was located on what he thought was somewhat less than ideal farmland. Being an accomplished farmer and cattle breeder himself, he knew good land when he saw it and apparently in his opinion this spot was better suited as the site of a racetrack and maybe even a good place for grasshoppers to call home!

When the facilities first opened the track was laid out as the initial order of business. Next a barn to house about a dozen horses was constructed by carpenter and barn builder Horace Davey. Later an additional portion of the barn was constructed to house the horses owned by nearby resident John R. Ball who operated a feed mill. While Mr. Ball at times drove his own horses he also employed Frank Alexander as a trainer and driver. He turned out a few good horses that started locally and also performed well at the larger tracks. A roan pacer named Johnny Dale and a pretty decent trotter by the name of Hoot Valley were among the best of his modest stable. He also had a farm about a mile north from the track where he housed some of his horses.

​​This 1964 photo shows a couple of long time residents from Grasshopper Flats in action at the newly opened Garden City track. The roan pacer Johnny Dale owned by John R. Ball and driver Frank Alexander appear in the winner's circle. This horse was a participant in the final day of racing at Grasshopper Flats in 1960.

In later years a couple more stables were built to accommodate the needs of certain individuals such as Gord Sherwin and another four stall structure put up by the Minifie Bros. There was never a residence for humans built on the grounds but in later years a gentleman named Don Budd, a retired dairy farmer, purchased some adjacent land and built a house and barn on 35 acres. He used the track to train his own stock and helped to care for the place prior to his passing a few years ago.

A small blacksmith shop was home to Tom Grattan for many years and another shoer was Earl Collins, who travelled out from Peterborough. Mr. Collins was long a well known farrier; he just left us a few years ago. Tom Grattan and his wife Ann were remembered recently when a series of Memorial races were held at Kawartha Downs.

For a period of about seven years beginning in 1954, a series of annual race days were held at the track. What the facilities lacked in frills and amenities, it more than made up for it with a lot of local spirit and enthusiasm. The races days were held on the second Saturday of June and took on a family entertainment theme with more than just an afternoon of racing. A baseball game, pony rides, a small midway and a fish pond along with great homemade food served by the ladies from nearby Church groups made the day a further success. It may not have been an official Fair, but it had a lot of the same attractions and atmosphere.

From what I have been told no one worried too much what the attendance figure was or how quick the fastest race went. It was more about people having a friendly get together and enjoying the convivial atmosphere that was always a part of these annual gatherings. Horsemen and their families gathered for a day of good fellowship and fun. These days stand as a reminder of a simpler time in our sport's history. While old accounts of races show mainly local folks, reportedly people like Keith Waples, Bill Habkirk and Bill Hicks were also present.

The races were held under the jurisdiction of the C.T.A. complete with judges and charted lines. The starter's duties were usually handled by Roy Mitchell with Retta Herrington driving the gate. One year when this pair -- who were legends in the area -- were unable to attend, a makeshift gate was pressed into service and apparently worked just fine. A small stand capable of seating about 100 fans was located at the wire across from the judge's stand.

​​Here is the race program from the final day of racing at Grasshopper Flats in 1960. The lovely handwriting was courtesy of Edith Hie.

The races were arranged to accommodate a wide range of horses and usually a special race was listed for "Green" horses. It carried a lesser purse of $30, later rising to $60, but was undoubtedly as important as the other races that commanded higher payouts. A small admission of 50 or 75 cents was charged which along with other revenues helped to make the race days self-sufficient most years. The local GM dealership displayed some of their vehicles that day on the grounds and they too anted up to provide financial support.

In 1960 the last of the memorable race days was held on June 11th that year. The highlight of the day was a double-heat victory by Mt. Orab Boy, owned by Josephine and Chas. Burrison and driven by their son Osler Burrison. The fastest winning time of 2:08 established a new track record for this quaint little spot and while horses just naturally go a lot faster these days this I am sure will remain forever as the "Official" track record, at least of the earlier era. On that day a total of 10 heats of racing divided into five races were held; 35 trotters and pacers were in competition for the purses totalling $480! This was a good day for the Burrison stable as they also were double heat winners with Mary Jane P.

LEFT: The dual-purposed cattle and horse truck that belonged to Clifford Hie sits loaded and ready to leave for a day of racing somewhere in near Eastern Ontario. RIGHT: In 1963 horseman Clifford Hie (left) was injured in a training accident at Grasshopper Flats track, requiring a cast on his ankle. A few days later his son Carman also had a racing mishap at Greenwood that left both father and son on crutches. Here they are shown both a bit compromised from their recent experiences but still smiling. (Hie Family archives)

During the preparation of this story Gordon Sherwin, one of the longest term residents of Grasshopper Flats, passed away a few weeks ago on September 3rd at the age of 92. Until he entered a seniors' home a couple of years ago, he continued to care for a couple of old horses at this his favourite spot. This kindly gentleman was a daily visitor seeing that his 'pensioners' were well cared for.

Today the old training centre is still in use nearly 70 years after its founding. After many additions and modifications it remains much the same as it started. After decades of joint ownership between a couple of the original families (Hie and Gordon) it is currently watched over by a few members of the Cliff Hie family, now in succeeding generations including Carmen, Doug and Scott Hie. It has served its residents well as the seasons have come and gone.
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Driver Jack Gordon, one of the original owners is joined in the winner's circle by owner Osler Burrison following a win by Frosty Homestead one of the better horses to call Grasshopper Flats his home. Also in the photo at the left are Laura Burrison and Floris Gordon.

Shown below are a few very recent pictures taken at Grasshopper Flats courtesy of a neighbouring resident, Gary Oliver.