It was learned a few months ago that harness racing’s most successful reinsman, John Campbell, will be inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame this coming fall. The hall has now announced its complete list of 2017 nominees and award recipients, one of which is The Queen’s Plate.
In late March, during an interview with Bob ‘Hollywood’ Heyden of the Meadowlands Racetrack, Campbell divulged that he was going to be inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame this year.
Campbell will be the first inductee from the Standardbred industry to join the Ontario hall. He will join Thoroughbred greats Avelino Gomez, E. P. Taylor, Northern Dancer, Roger Attfield and Sandy Hawley. Campbell is no stranger to hall of fame honours, though, as he is already a member of the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame (1990), Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1987) and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (2009).
The Ontario Sports Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony & Awards Gala will take place in Toronto on Monday, October 2 at The Westin Harbour Castle (Metropolitan Ballroom). Campbell will be inducted alongside the rest of the 2017 class, which includes Paul Coffey (hockey), Bob Allen (lacrosse), Marnie McBean (rowing), Bob Gainey (hockey) and John Hiller (baseball).
In addition to the 2017 class of inductees, a slate of 2017 Ontario Sports Hall of Fame award winners will also be acknowledged. The list includes Howard Starkman (The Brian Williams Media Award), Trish Startus (The Sandy Hawley Community Service Award), Penny Oleksiak (The Syl Apps Ontario Athlete of the Year Award) and The Queen’s Plate, which will receive The Prentice Family Legacy Award.
For ticket, table or sponsorship inquiries, please call 647-258-9647 or email [email protected]. You can also follow the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.