Published:
February 21, 2015 12:40 pm EST
In this week's special 'Picture Parade' edition of Rewind, Robert Smith shows a collage of old racing photographs depicting a multitude of subjects covering several decades.
British Royalty have long been associated with equestrian activities such as Thoroughbred racing, Steeplechase and Polo but the current Queen Elizabeth did not view her first Harness race until she visited Canada in 1959. In the above photo she and Prince Philip are shown enjoying an evening at the races in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
This group of drivers contains about as much talent as you can fit into one picture. Most people will recognize many of them but they are as follows. From left: Johnny Chapman, George Sholty, Billy Haughton, Herve Filion and Delvin Miller. From centre Del Insko, Clint Hodgins, Stanley Dancer.
These two gentlemen are both well known and remembered throughout Canadian racing circles but are closely tied to London's Western Fair Raceway. On the left is the late Harry Eisen Ontario's only full time racing columnist receiving a trophy from Dave Wall at the annual Dave Wall Family golf tournament.
Many years ago a special night was held at Hanover Raceway to pay tribute to a number of veteran horseman who were instrumental in keeping the sport alive through 'leaner' times. These veteran horsemen pictured with a vintage high wheeled sulky were among those who helped Hanover start up night racing over 50 years ago. From left is Elmer Fritz, Hugh McLean, Jacob Geisel (seated in high wheeler) and Frank Carnahan
Tote boards were not always electronic marvels as shown by these vintage photos taken at the Long Branch Track in Toronto located at Evans and Kipling.
In the earlier days of harness racing horses were walked after races and even training miles to 'cool' them out. The practice was often called 'Hot Walking' and usually provided a lot of exercise for the groom as well. People were always searching for ingenious ways to reduce the amount of time required and attempts were made to walk more than a single horse when possible. The above shot obviously very old was taken at the Charles River track in Massachusetts. (Courtesy Don Daniels)
Little Mary Neish peers intently as blacksmith Lloyd Campbell fits a new pair of "speed slippers" on Hugh's Hat owned by Hughie McLean . Mary and her friends Bruce Epringham (left), Steven Fair (above the hammer) and Mary's brother Andrew (right) were visitors at the Garden City shop in this 1969 picture. Mr. Campbell, 70 at this time, was a transplanted Scot who had been shoeing horses for over 50 years.
The late Clifford 'Chappy' Chapman Jr. was a man who as the saying goes "wore many hats" throughout his long career. Here he is shown in his memorable role as a bid spotter. This was taken in 1985 as Spencer Seelster was auctioned for $83,000 at the Select Yearling Sale at Mohawk.
In 1976 when the Rockwood Lions Club needed a helping hand with their project to upgrade their facilities a group of drivers at nearby Mohawk Raceway answered the call. The generous drivers pictured here donated a portion of their earnings. From left - Bill Galvin OJC Publicity Chief, Drivers Ron Waples, Charlie Lawson, Larry Walker, Bill Hicks, Carman Hie, Nelson White, Bill Wellwood, Ron Feagan, Tom Strauss, Bill Troy and Walter Swanston, Lions Club Pres. Absent from the photo but part of the program: Wes Coke and Garth Gordon (Photo from Bill Galvin collection)
Local M.P.P. Keith Brown (Peterborough) presents an award of $25 to driver Frank Alexander at the 1961 Orono Fair. The prize was awarded to recognize the fastest mile of that year's races turned in by Johnny Dale owned by John R. Ball of Baltimore, a strong supporter of the Liberal Party in his Northumberland County area. The mile time that earned the prize was a swift 2:08.
This 1988 photo taken at Montreal's Blue Bonnets shows a couple of new owners, Amie and Madelaine Bertrand, with their trainer and driver Rick Zeron and Gershwin Hanover. Operating as A & M Farm they were an up and coming force in Quebec racing circles.
Were tires a bit larger on jog carts 50 or 60 years ago? Shown here is the trotting colt Tim's Lad and trainer Fred Lowery. Fred's sons Gerald and Ray were driving stars at Peterborough area tracks for many years and are still resident in the area. Tim's Lad raced for a number of years for Jack Gordon.
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These great pics bring back a
These great pics bring back a lot of memories! Especially the one with Lloyd Campbell shoeing "Hugh's Hat". In the years before winter racing started at Greenwood LLoyd used to drive cab in Toronto in the winter and he'd come out to Woodbridge to shoe for us at the Fairgrounds. Lloyd was a very super gentleman with a unique habit of introducing everyone to anyone who happened along! Once I had April Magic being shod in his shop at Greenwood when Dr. John Findlay came in and, as usual Lloyd said "Oh have you gentlemen met?" To which Doc replied "Yeah we met in front of the grandstand at Connaught last year" (That was when he and I hooked wheels with April Magic and George Volo in the Ottawa valley futurity final!) One time when Lloyd was shoeing at Woodbridge Bill Foggo came in bragging about how big a horse was that he was training named "Dr John Frost" (after Doc Findlay, of course) when Lloyd looked at me and said to Bill "This man had a horse so big he could swallow Dr John Frost and you'd never see the lump where he went down" (That was referring to "Widower Dan") Lloyd was definitely a unique character in the racing industry!
Once again Mr. Smith great
Once again Mr. Smith great work, takes me back to Garden City Raceway, when I worked for Gerald Aiken.
Didn't know they had cameras
Didn't know they had cameras that long ago ??? Thanks Bob. Great shots.
Some great pictures here,
Some great pictures here, Robert. Fantastic. Keep those cards and letters coming in. LOL
Hope alls well. Marv