The most meaningful Christmas gift connected to Louis-Philippe Roy this year won’t be something he’ll receive.

This year, as he’s done for the past two years, Roy, one of Canada’s top Standardbred drivers, is giving back during the holiday season.

The native of Mont-Joli – a town of just over 6,200 people located about 350 kilometres northeast of Quebec City – is once again supporting Moisson Mitis, a food bank that operates in his hometown.

Roy donated his driver earnings from the December 5 card of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a night that yielded a pair of victories (BR Royal Boom and Bettor B Going) on the 10-race card.

Other horsepeople also stepped up to join the cause. Clay Horner, William Donovan, Adriano Sorella, and Chris Baise all made donations. The end result was more than $4,000 raised to help Moisson Mitis and those who depend on its services.

“I was happy that people helped me with this,” said Roy, who is closing in on 300 wins on the year. “I’m still very close to my roots in Mont-Joli, and this is something that I am very passionate about. What Moisson Mitis does is very important, helping people in need.

“I remember when I was in school, I had two friends who were some of the people getting help from the food bank. So, that’s something that touched me. Every Christmas, I go back to my hometown, and I get to see my family and spend some time with my friends. It’s the part of the year I look forward to the most. And if I can help some people over Christmas, it makes me happy.”

Louis-Philippe Roy greets fans at Hippodrome 3R

Roy, who recorded his 1,000th victory on August 10, 2018, has fond recollections of Christmases in Quebec, including traditions his family still celebrates to this day.

Although the time he’ll spend in Mont-Joli will be relatively short, he’ll be looking to make the most of that time from the moment he arrives.

“All of the memories are special,” started the lifetime winner of 1,448 races. “Just being with my family – it’s a time to relax. You play board games, or you sit down to talk and catch up on each other’s lives. You don’t have those chances during most of the year because everyone is busy with their jobs, and other things. I just feel like it’s the part of the year where you are able to relax.”

For Roy, it’s also a time to put any worries, whether they happen to be on or off the racetrack, out of his thoughts.

Instead, it is, in his view, a chance to think of others.

“I know when I go back to my hometown, I don’t stress about anything. My job stays here in Ontario. I feel like that people who need a little bit of help to smile during the holidays – if I can help them by doing what I do, it’s very meaningful for me.”

Ahead of an 11-hour drive to Mont-Joli, Roy will look to add some more victories along the way.

As of December 15, he has 291 wins, which places him third overall in the country. His seasonal earnings, currently $6.1 million, is tops amongst all Canadian drivers.

There is, admittedly, plenty to be grateful for.

But none of the success, big or small, will keep Roy from thinking of others, especially during December.

“I think it’s very important to help people when you can. If this helps, even in some small way, that makes me very happy.”

(Ontario Racing)