Western Fair Raceway is opening a new season with a new voice in the broadcast booth. Peter Kyte, a seasoned announcer will join Western Fair Raceway

when the fall meet commences this Friday.

Kyte’s love of horses began at a young age when he and his brother accompanied his parents to the track every weekend. He developed a keen fascination with the way the announcer called the races and started announcing qualifiers under the tutelage of Vance Cameron at Dresden Raceway when only 13 years old. As he puts it, he has “had a hand in one thing or another within the industry ever since. For a lot of those years, I just found work doing whatever I could while following lifelong friend Jody Jamieson around.”

Now 33, Kyte does more than just follow Jamieson around. He has been the seasonal announcer at Fort Erie Racetrack (Thoroughbreds) and Tioga Downs (Standardbreds) in Nichols, New York for the past three years. He has also worked at The Racing Network Canada, Woodbine Entertainment Group and did a brief stint at Western Fair Raceway in the late 1990’s.

"I'm grateful beyond words to Ian Fleming and Hugh Mitchell for giving me this opportunity," Kyte told Trot Insider on Monday morning before heading to Fort Erie to call the races there. "I have to thank Daryl Wells Jr. and Herb McGirr at Fort Erie Racetrack for allowing me to get back behind the mic three years ago after a long hiatus, as well as Jason Settlemoir and Jeff Gural at Tioga Downs, who have been equally instrumental in my resurgence. Without their support, I wouldn't have been in the position I am today."

In addition to his announcer duties, Kyte is an active Standardbred agent, buying and selling horses for clients across Canada and the U.S. He and wife, Brooke, have owned and trained horses for several years.

Kyte is enthusiastic about his return to Western Fair Raceway. "London harness racing has a large fan base of knowledgeable, passionate people and I'm looking forward to interacting with them. The track attracts a high caliber of horses and drivers and I know we will see some exceptional performances this coming season.”

The Kyte family resides in Guelph and they are expecting a sister for Emily any day.

Live racing resumes at Western Fair Raceway this Friday. Post time 7:05 p.m. Included on the card are Ontario Sires Stakes 3-year old Colt Trot Eliminations.

The first 500 patrons, age 19 and over, will receive a free cooler bag, with program coupon.

The fall program features racing every Friday and Saturday night, post time 7:05 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday afternoons at 3:35 p.m.

(with files from Western Fair)