The Raceway at the Western Fair District celebrated the achievements of longtime horseman Mac Lilley in a trackside Wall Of Fame induction ceremony on Friday night (May 12) in London, Ont.

Lilley was joined by a large gathering of family and friends for the presentation made by The Raceway's Director of Racing, Greg Blanchard, prior to the evening's featured seventh race.

"It's pretty important to me; I never expected it," said Lilley of joining the track's prestigious Wall of Fame. "It means a lot to have the respect of your peers."

Lilley, who owns and operates his farm just west of London, dove into the business in the early 1970s with the purchase of his first stallion, Zip Tar, and has not looked back. Since then, his farm has stood some 47 stallion including Super Wave, Springfield, Bo Knows Jate, Whosurboy, Rambaran and Warrawee Needy, just to name a few.

Lilley was one of the first to offer a version of fractional ownership in the ‘70s and also leased and operated the Hawkinsville Training Centre in Georgia for 12 years in the late 1980s.

Mac and his wife Ann have five sons and a daughter, 17 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, most of whom are involved in the family farm in one way or another.

Mac Lilley Farms is one of three Ontario Standardbred farms that will be hosting an Open House on Mother's Day this Sunday (May 14). Their event, which will also promote the 250th anniversary of horse racing in Canada, will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Following the trackside ceremony, Friday's featured $6,000 Mac Lilley Wall Of Fame Pace was won by Camedownfromheaven, who looped the outside leaver at the quarter pole and kept clear of his only challenger, Boatwrecker, to break his maiden in 2:00. Greg Dustin trains and drives the homebred three-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Grandma Dorothy gelding for Kerwood, Ont. owners Melvin, Keith and Brandon Wilson. Camedownfromheaven paid $9.90 to win as the 7-2 third wagering choice. Acefortyfourmurray, the even-money favourite, finished third.

Amidst the family fun festivities on Friday night, some potential future stars of The Raceway competed in a non-wagering miniature horse race between the fourth and fifth races, dubbed the "Battle of the Young Gunz." The dash was won by Wally and Travis Moore, the son of AJ Moore. The winning duo held off Ping and Lucas House, who is the son of Lorne House. Mullingar, with Ava MacDonald in the sulky, and Oreo, in rein to Tristan Forgie, also participated in the race, which had two late scratches.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair.

For the official judges' report from Friday's card, click the following link: Judges' Report - Western Fair - May 12.

(With files from Western Fair District)