Some Gold Cup & Saucer History

As a lead up to the 55th edition of the Sobey's Gold Cup and Saucer, Red Shores has taken a quick look back at some of the most memorable moments from the Maritimes’ classic pacing event.

Nominations for this year’s Gold Cup and Saucer are due Monday, August 4. The post position draw for the trials will be held on Tuesday, August 5. Trial 1 is scheduled to head postward on August 9.

The Gold Cup and Saucer final will be held on Saturday, August 16.

Gold Cup & Saucer Celebrates 55 Years

It was Friday, August 19, 1960. Six starters lined up behind the starting gate for the once-two dash event.

Dees Boy picked up the first dash victory in 2:06 for driver Lloyd MacAuley. Newport Frisco picked up the second dash victory in 2:06.3, but despite having the better summary (2-1), Dees Boy and MacAuley were declared the first-ever winner of the Gold Cup and Saucer.

The first ever Gold Cup was contested for a purse of $2,500. Now, in 2014, the 55th edition of the Sobey's Gold Cup and Saucer will head to post for $75,000, the largest purse in the history of the race.

The prestigious race isn't about the money. It's about the show. It’s about the people. It’s about Prince Edward Island. When the horses hit the track for post parade and they walk in front of the grandstand, the lights go dark and Kerri Wynn MacLeod sings the Island Hymn as thousands of people in attendance stand for this Island tradition.

The only thing in sight is the Ferris wheel from the carnival lit up in the background. The rail horse parades down the track, whether it be Eighteen, R Js Dexter. Winners Accolade or Kilkerran Ingle. As soon as the spotlight from above picks up the first horse and the sound of track announcer’s voice booms over the crowd, chills instantly spill down a person's spine.

During those 54 years of bone-chilling action, there have not only been some great races, but some memorable race calls as well.

In 1968 Miramichi Post became the first Maritime-bred to ever win the Gold Cup. Ten years later, two-time winner Ventall Rainbow was the first horse to make Four appearances in the Cup and Saucer. That very same year Eric and Harry Whebby of Dartmouth won a record fifth Gold Cup.

In 1980, the Gold Cup trials were first introduced. The Gold Cup and Saucer consolation was debuted as well.

Who can forget 1986 when Phil Pinkney flipped Rev Your Engine out three wide from last just past the five-eighth-mile marker? That’s where he hooked up with the fraction-setter, Angels Shadow, past the three quarters. The pair battled the whole way down the lane before Rev Your Engine hit the wire a nose in front.

How about 1993, When Little Black Book started to open up on the field up the backstretch? "Little Black Book is turning it on. Look at her go! Little Black Book has them by four and she's looking for more," said track announcer Kevin 'Boomer' Gallant. She jogged in 1:54.1 and just missed her own Canadian record for aged mares on a half-mile track of 1:54 that she set in her Gold Cup trial. The record stood for 15 years.

Remember 1995, when the Mike MacDonald-driven Sandy Hanover converted off a three-wide move past the three quarters to become the winningest driver in Gold Cup and Saucer history with five victories? Ventall Rainbow (twice), Pearls Falcon and Winners Accolade were his others victorious mounts.

In 1998, Native Born and driver Brett Robinson moved out of the two-hole approaching the three quarters pole and drew away from the field. The duo won by 12 lengths in 1:53.1 and closed out the mile with a final quarter of :27, setting a new Canadian record for aged horses on a half mile track at the time.

MacDonald almost had number six in 2003. Harmony P, who had raced in the consolation the night before, drew into the final after a scratch. It was a former protégé of MacDonald's that ended up defeating him at the wire. Mark MacDonald had Sand Olls Dexter closing hard and he nailed his old teacher by a nose at the wire. Sand Olls Dexter would then win the Gold Cup and Saucer in the slop the following year, thus giving Mark MacDonald his second of three career Cup victories.

Hall-of-Famer Wally Hennessey picked up his second ‘Gold Cup’ victory in 2005 aboard Driven To Win. The duo establishing a new track record of 1:51.2 in the process.

Longtime Island horsemen Earl Smith made history in 2008 aboard the longest shot on the board, Pownal Bay Matt. The pair started from Post 8. Smith was parked out the entire mile before getting up in the final strides. Smith became the oldest driver at 59 years of age to ever win the big event. That was also a special day, as the ‘Cup and Saucer’ was raced on Sunday afternoon due to the cancellation of the races on Saturday night.

Over its 54 years of winners, the Gold Cup and Saucer has played host to many 'Boom, Just like that!" calls from track announcer Vance Cameron. The island would become a buzz wondering who Mike MacDonald would have coming to the big race over the years. Although, over the last five years the race has grown to see trainers such as Mark Ford, Jeff Gillis and Ron Burke, the top trainer in North America make trips to the Gold Cup and Saucer.

Who can forget last year's Gold Cup and Saucer.

In a race full of Cameron's famous race calls, it was arguably one of his most entertaining Gold Cups to date. As Up The Credit and Carl Jamieson parked out R Caan and Jason Ryan, Cameron’s voice started to electrify.

"There's a brouhaha in the Cup and Saucer, opening quarter, Boom just like that! Twenty-six and two."

Up The Credit and R Caan slugged it out to the half before R Caan cleared around the five-eighths turn.

"Making the front now is R Caan, Up The Credit is second, Wow! Fifty-three and two," boomed Cameron.

R Caan started to draw away from Up The Credit up the backstretch before the Burke brigade of Hillbilly Hanover (driven by Gilles Barrieau) and Escape The News (Marc Campbell) started to eat up race track.

The track record was in clear sight as they moved three-wide past the three quarters. Escape The News was the furthest horse out.

"Three quarters, amazing. One-twenty-one and four. They got a shot at the track record. They got a shot at the Canadian record," said Cameron, as every member in the crowd was now cheering for the record.

It was a battle of the Burke brigade as they hit the head of the lane. The two top drivers in the Maritimes, Campbell and Barrieau, who were both aboard Burke horses, duelled it out. Escape The News paced onto the lead by the tote board.

"Marc Campbell has won the Gold Cup and Saucer. Escape The News. A driving quadruple. Hillbilly Hanover is second. R Caan is third. 1:50.4, that's a new track record for the Charlottetown Driving Park, and that is, Marc Campbell's biggest lifetime win."

So much history. So much class. So much excitement – all built into one race. The Gold Cup and Saucer.

This year, the 55th running will carry its highest purse ever of $ 75,000. Rumours are starting to float on what trainers are coming and what horses they will be bringing. One thing can be guaranteed: no matter who comes, the Gold Cup and Saucer will still be one of the greatest shows in North American racing.

Nominations for this year’s Gold Cup and Saucer are due Monday, August 4. The post position draw for the trials will be held on Tuesday, August 5. Trial 1 is scheduled to go post ward on August 9. The final for the Gold Cup and Saucer, presented by Sobeys, will be held on Saturday, August 16.