![Rewind: Memories from Orangeville](/sites/default/files/styles/headline_image_1024_x_577/public/2022-01/SC-Rewind-Orangeville-640px.jpg?itok=Ghf_4eFu)
This week's edition of Rewind takes readers back over 50 years as Robert Smith recalls the opening and early years of racing at the town of Orangeville, Ontario. This little track advertised itself as "B-Circuit Racing At Its Best." His piece recalls some names and faces from the early days and even a special milestone happening. He also covers a bit of very early history well before this time.
When the rejuvenated Orangeville Raceway was updated and revamped for modern day racing in May of 1970, it was yet another chapter in the long history of this Dufferin County facility. Races had been held here at least on an annual basis for as far back as records had been kept. For decades the renowned Dr. W.H. Riddell, a local veterinarian, had put on race days that were known throughout the sport. His famous race meetings held annually on the July 1st weekend were among the Province's most highly regarded.
The good Doctor realized how important the purse money was to the competing horsemen and reportedly promised to pay the competitors out of his own pocket if weather or other unforeseen factors created a financial failure. Little wonder he was referred to as "The Dean of Ontario Harness Racing." A one-time mayor of the town, he staked his reputation on the success of each race day. He was held in such high regard that when he died in 1943 Dufferin Park in Toronto canceled the day's scheduled races out of respect to him.
In 1970 when a group headed by Keith and Murray Waples along with several other business partners including Jim Keeling decided to stage racing on a regular basis at Orangeville, the idea was well received by the horsepeople as well as racing fans from a fairly wide area. The parking lots were often filled on race days and buses hauled people from as far away as downtown Toronto. It was a pretty popular spot for quite a few years.
A full parking lot at Orangeville was a common sight during the track's heyday.
Opening day was Sunday May 3, 1970 and it marked the first of 18 consecutive Sunday cards that first season. Many well-known drivers were on hand to help launch the opening of the Dufferin County track, due in large part to the persuasive powers of Keith and Murray Waples. The first ever race was won by a horse named Jack Honers, owned and driven by Bill Carroll, a fellow who was born and raised not too far away from here at Riverview. Second was 12-year-old Innocent Bob for Ray Gemmill with third spot going to Pauls Signal.
Purses on opening day ranged from $200 to a high of $600 for the Free For All Pace won by Piper Herbert and driver John Hayes, Sr. who was followed in second spot by Jet Adios and Jack Gordon. A few other winning drivers on that day included John Murphy, Reg Lipsett, Brent Davies, Andy Avery, Carman Hie, Joe Truckle, George Wain. Veteran Jimmy "Red" Holmes closed out the day with a victory behind Glenholme Joe. By the end of May, two races were held which each carried a purse of $1,000 and both were won by Barbara D Pride driven by Retta Herrington for owner Hilliard O'Connell of Roseneath, Ont.
An early year Orangeville program from 1972 shows that a frugal race fan could save 10 cents by purchasing one at the track instead of offsite
Known as the "Dean of Ontario Harness Racing," Orangeville veterinarian and former town mayor, Dr. William Henry Riddell, played a pivotal role in the province’s harness racing history With large numbers of horses conscripted to the First World War, quality Standardbred race horses were on a decline. Riddell began breeding horses with proven lineages and shared his resources, which allowed racehorse stables across Ontario to thrive. Never married to my knowledge, he was known to drive a horse called The Bison to make his vet calls. Local legend had it that he was known on occasion to pay a visit at the odd young lady's residence while making his rounds.
A full house at Orangeville is shown above as patrons enjoy the outdoor betting area on a sunny Sunday afternoon. A full grandstand is visible in the background.
The First Sub 2:00 Mile At Orangeville
In 1980 after 10 years of racing at the Orangeville oval, the track experienced its first sub-2:00 mile. On the afternoon of May 25th the Dufferin County half miler recorded its first ever "miracle mile" when the winning horse Happy Hoot stopped the timer in 1:59.4. The five-year-old son of Rob Ron Robbie was driven by Fred Gillis for owners Lou Civil of Willowdale and Lloyd Smith of Brampton, Ont.
Fred Gillis, the man who scored the first sub-2:00 mile at Orangeville, learned his early lessons far from here. He grew up in Nova Scotia where his uncle had Standardbreds which spawned his early interest. By the age of eight he had already started jogging horses and his lifelong interest began. He spent a number of years driving and training horses in Ontario and Quebec and at one time worked for top Ontario horseman Ron Feagan. He eventually made his way to Western Canada. After driving there for a time he eventually traded his driver's suit for a position as Executive Director of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association some 15 years ago.
Happy Hoot and driver Fred Gillis made history at Orangeville Raceway on the afternoon of May 25th when they scored the first ever sub-2:00 mile in the history of the Orangeville track. Second but not in the picture was Gamblin Adios for Ray McLean and third was Jumbo Be Good driven by Ron Hutton. (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
Quote For The Week: "An elderly man in our farming community had been living alone and lonely for several years since the passing of his wife after a long marriage. He had decided to find a new "lady friend" and made it known that he was looking. After some time had passed he was asked "Fred, how is your search going for a new mate?" His answer was "Not good at all; what I want I can't find, and what I can find the devil himself wouldn't take!" (True story)
Who Is It?
Can you identify the above quartet of drivers from the Ontario Jockey Club circuit that appeared at Orangeville track to raise money for charitable purposes on Sunday June 1, 1980? The two ladies at the left, Huda Scott and Maiken Crole, were present on behalf of the benefitting charitable group based in Dufferin County. This event was held just a week after the new track record described above was set. (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify the winning driver in the above photo? A few clues will be given. On the afternoon of May 25, 1980 a portion of the Orangeville race day was dedicated to fund raising events to aid a local charity. One of the events was a groom's race using jog carts instead of sulkies. Each entrant paid a $20.00 entry fee which was donated to the charity. This will be a multiple choice question. (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
Who was the above driver?
a) - Ron Leskey
b) - Harold Livingston
c) - Dan Riddell
Let us know your answer or even your wildest guess.
Orangeville Trivia
Most people familiar with harness racing's recent past know that the Orangeville track is no longer in operation. The question is: What is happening at the former site of the racetrack these days?
Orangeville Raceway
The dining room at Orangeville was second to none, there were always several older ladies who prepared the food and this included home baked pies. No other track has ever come close to the quality meal at Orangeville, the backstretch was darn good as well, I recall Mary Rideout always cheerful and happy to serve excellent backstretch food.
This week's pictures
This week's correct picture identities were as follows :
Visiting drivers at Orangeville were from l-r - Ron Waples ,Larry Walker , Wm. Wellwood and Tom Strauss
Winning driver in the groom's race was Ron Leskey
In the Orangeville trivia question I was looking for something along these lines . The former site of the track is now home to the Fairgrounds Centre Shopping Mall .
Thanks folks for sending in your answers . I also wish to send a special thanks to Gord Waples for supplying some good old photos .
Clure also raced a nice…
Clure also raced a nice trotter I had the privilege of paddocking years and years ago, but his name escapes me. I do know he was owned by Bruce Beer of Brampton who had a trucking company.
I remember opening day that…
I remember opening day that there was a traffic barrier placed in the home stretch to guard from a hole there and was not fixed by race time and you had to go around it. The chicken place across the road was a lifesaver. I would get some chicken after the races and climb in the horse trailer for a feed and pass out on the way home !! Absolutely loved going there.
I agree with the names…
I agree with the names except for the grooms race* Looks like Ron Leskey driving his pacing mare ? Harold had a nicer jog cart?? LOL.
Great spot to race. Won a…
Great spot to race. Won a few Prefereds with Placemat there.
Walmart, a Canadian Tire and…
Walmart, a Canadian Tire and a movie complex are there, as are several other stores.
Looking at the photo with…
Looking at the photo with all the cars in the background, I believe this is the only building that is still left from the old track. I think it used for Curling nowadays.
The photo from Sun.June 1,…
The photo from Sun.June 1, 1980 looks like from left to right, Ron Waples, unknown, William Wellwood, Tom Straus. I spent many evenings and afternoons a Orangeville Raceway and sincerely miss it.
There is a brief note about…
There is a brief note about the bus service from Toronto. Many were the Sundays that I partook of that service. (I think a fare of $5.00) That was years before I had a car. There was the compulsory stop in mid town Brampton which filled the bus to standing room only.
In more recent years there was the Sunday FFA pace for a purse of $3,500. Half the time it was won by Clure Archdeacon when he was not needed at the Family Funeral Home! I can't remember the name of his stable star.
In reply to There is a brief note about… by davidgeorge
Clure’s good horse was Kiwi…
Clure’s good horse was Kiwi Attack also good trotters Glen D and Caselton Gift both from New Zealand. Larry Menary
In reply to Clure’s good horse was Kiwi… by menary
The pacer he raced was Eagle…
The pacer he raced was Eagle Attack not Kiwi. Some regular preferred horses on Sunday afternoon were Cowboy Killean, Willvan Duke,
Grandma Davis
Who is it. #1. Ron Waples #2…
Who is it. #1. Ron Waples #2. Larry Walker #3. Bill Wellwood. #4. Tom Strauss. Who else is it? Harold Livingston. Just a guess.
Who is itRoger Mayotte,…
Who is it
Roger Mayotte, Larry Walker, Bill Wellwood and Tommy Strauss.
Who else is it -
Harold Livingston
Orangeville Trivia:
Shopping malls and all paved over.
Ronnie, Larry, Woody and Tom…
Ronnie, Larry, Woody and Tom. Who else is it B. I believe a shopping mall.