The National Capital Region Harness Horse Association (NCRHHA) and Rideau Carleton Raceway are pleased to sponsor a driver feature night on Sunday, September 3.
Fans will have an opportunity to receive an autographed hat, enjoy conversation with, and have photos taken with Guy Gagnon, Ryan Guy and Gerard Demers. This will take place from 5:45 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. Eastern on the lower level of the grandstand.
Guy Gagnon
Gagnon, currently Rideau’s leading driver, is in his third decade of drivingand training at Rideau. At age 49, Guy has driven over 4.800 winners to earnings in excess of $22 million. On the training side, he has racked up almost 1.300 wins and over $6.5 million in purses. A resident of Gatineau, Québec, Gagnon has driven more than 100 winners each year in 21 of the last 22 seasons, and has earned over $1 million in purses for 12 years in a row.
This year has been particularly special for Gagnon. He won 52 of his first 100 races this season as a trainer, making him the first trainer in horse racing history to achieve this phenomenal accomplishment. This season, Gagnon has a lofty driving average of .422 and an incomparable training percentage of .601, making him a heavy favourite to be named Canada’s Horseman of the Year in 2017.
Ryan Guy
Ryan Guy acquired his driver’s license only five months ago after a lengthy apprenticeship as a trainer and warm up “Guy”. He made an immediate impact by winning his first lifetime drive by over 11 lengths in 1:54, making him the first driver in Rideau Carleton history to record a sub-1:55 clocking in his first win. The 20-year-old reisnman learned the ropes from his grandfather George and of course his father Ron. Ryan’s aunt Sharon Christie was also instrumental in teaching Ryan to respect horses, develop pure horsemanship, and a have strong work ethic. Guy also spent time learning about young horses from highly respected and meticulous Ron McPhee, who for decades has been known to be one of Ontario’s top colt trainers.
When you meet Guy, you will see that he is very polite and respectful, and he has a glowing personality and an infectious smile that will make you like him immediately. In a very difficult driving colony to break into, Guy already has 10 wins among 43 on-the-board finishes from only 153 drives. He has earned over $86,000 in purses as he begins his career in pursuit of his mentor and driving idol, the legendary Darrell Coville.
Gerard Demers
At a very young age, Gerard Demers established himself as one of the region’s most consistent high-achieving trainers. He has won numerous training titles and has campaigned multiple “Horse of the Year” winners, including the iron-tough Best Show In Town. Demers has trained winners of 883 races to earnings of $5.8 million.
At age 33, Demers was ready for another challenge. The resident of Saint-André-Avellin, Québec took to the racebike and began what has become a flourishing driving career. With only six months of driving in the books, Demers has caught on quickly. The freshman driver has already launched 12 winners, and 44 of his first 153 drives have hit the board. Demers has shown the aggression of a veteran in the early stages of his career, keeping his fellow drivers on their toes trying to figure out how to beat the unpredictable rookie.
Demers and his wife Lise have formed a stable called GLD, and they have made many sharp acquisitions in recent years. Demers is also a very competent blacksmith and, together with Lise and groom Jeremy Hebert, they have among the shiniest and healthiest looking horses in the game. Although somewhat quiet and shy, Demers is very well liked and respected by everyone he comes in contact with.
(NCRHHA)