A capacity crowd of racing industry supporters, Hall of Fame-honoured members and incoming inductees were expertly guided through a jam-packed agenda by Master of Ceremonies and CHRHF-honoured member Jim Bannon during Wednesday evening’s (May 16) annual Hall of Fame President’s Reception.

The proceedings fittingly began with CHRHF President John Stapleton reflecting on the success of the 250th Anniversary of Horse Racing in 2017, one of many projects he spearheaded during his time as president, a role he has held since 2010. Stapleton then announced the person succeeding him as president of the CHRHF will be Darryl Kaplan, manager of industry communications at Standardbred Canada.

Outgoing president John Stapleton (left) congratulates Darryl Kaplan (right) as the next president of the CHRHF (Dave Landry Photography / Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)

Stapleton’s summary of Kaplan’s biography with the Hall of Fame included the following: “Darryl Kaplan has been closely involved with the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for several years. He has been Chair of the Nominating and Legends committees since 2011, and is a longstanding member of the organization’s Planning Committee.

“Over the past decade, Darryl has dedicated great time and efforts to promoting the hall, and has been a true asset in initiatives that advance the prominence and presence of the hall. He was an important part of the team that ensured the Hall of Fame took centre stage during the 250th Anniversary of horse racing in Canada.

“Prior to his position with Standardbred Canada, Kaplan worked at Woodbine Entertainment for five years, primarily on the Thoroughbred side. He continues to have many contacts and close colleagues across all breeds of horse racing.

“Outside of racing, Darryl is president of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas – an organization representing 40,000 small businesses in Toronto. He is also a vice president of the Canadian National Exhibition – the country's largest community event.”

As he accepted the new title and role, Kaplan’s passion and commitment for what the CHRHF represents was evident in his remarks. "I am truly honoured to take on the role of president of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. On behalf of the entire board of directors, I wish to extend a sincere thank-you to John Stapleton for his tremendous leadership as president over the past eight years.

"The Hall of Fame connects the past to the present, celebrating the wonderful success stories of our industry. The strength of the horse racing industry has been built over the past 250 years, and by bringing our history to life, and remembering the greats, we have the ability to build something special into the future.

“I look forward to the opportunities ahead for this organization, and working with our board of directors. I also congratulate our newest class of inductees and legends on their remarkable achievements.”

The next order of business was the unveiling of a Heritage Toronto plaque to be installed on the site of the first Queen’s Plate race held at the Carleton Racecourse in 1860, located in the area of Toronto now known as the Junction neighbourhood. The commemorative plaque, which is jointly funded by the City of Toronto, Woodbine Entertainment and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, will mark the founding location of what is now the longest continuously-run stakes race in North America. The official installation of the marker will to take place July 19, 2018.

Heritage Toronto Plaque recognizing the location of the first Queen’s Plate Stakes held in 1860 was unveiled by Carmen Day, Vice-President Guest Experience, Woodbine Entertainment, Sarah Doucette, Toronto City Councillor, Ward 13, and Lou Cauz, Director Emeritus, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (Dave Landry Photography / Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)

The hall then paid homage to the 2018 Legend Honourees, the late Frank McMahon, and the late Hector Clouthier Sr.

Present for the ceremony were 30 members of the Clouthier family, including all 10 of the late Hector Clouthier Sr.’s children.

The late Hector Clouthier Sr. was well represented by his children, grandchildren and extended family members for the unveiling of the display panel acknowledging his enshrinement as a Legend Honouree in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (Dave Landry Photography / Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)

Speaking on behalf of the family, Hector Clouthier Jr. recounted stories and reflected on his father’s life, touching on a passion for horses which began as a youth working in the family’s lumber business, and continuing in his Standardbred breeding and racing operation under the ‘Northwood Stable’ name.

However, Clouthier’s greatest contribution to Canadian horse racing occurred once he became involved in racing industry associations, sitting on the board of the Canadian Trotting Association, the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society, and the Ontario Harness Horse Association. He was considered one of the founding fathers of organized horsemen in Ontario, helping to negotiate contracts enabling horsemen to make a career in the racing business. Clouthier was recruited by the Quebec-based United Harness Horsemen’s Association, became the organization’s president, and was soon thrust into contract negotiations with the powerful Jean Louis Levesque, owner of Montreal’s Blue Bonnets Raceway, to resolve a horsemen’s strike over purses.

An advocate of stake races for young horses in Ontario, Clouthier was instrumental in starting discussions for what would become the Ontario Sires Stakes program.

The evening concluded with the unveiling of the permanent display panels for the 2017 inductees and the formal introduction of the 2018 inductees: Standardbred Builder, William ‘Bill’ Andrew; Thoroughbred Trainer, Reade Baker; Standardbred horses, Blissfull Hall and Chancey Lady; Driver/Trainer, the late Jim Doherty; Communicators Dave Landry and Dan Loiselle; Thoroughbred horses Judy the Beauty and Shaman Ghost and Thoroughbred Builder, John G. Sikura.

The 2018 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Induction will take place Wednesday, August 8 at the Mississauga Convention Centre. Tickets can be purchased for $175 each by contacting Linda Rainey, CHRHF managing director by phone at 416-417-9404 or by email at [email protected]

Additional information about the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame can be found at www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com.

(Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame)