The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has selected Conley Ecclestone of Fergus, Ont. as its Youth Member for 2023-2024.

USHWA is the world's oldest organization for harness racing communicators. The Youth Membership category was designed to assist harness racing media members (21 years of age and younger) with growing careers and connections across the industry. 

“My grandfather and father raced and trained horses for a few years before I was born. My father won Trainer of the Year at Elmira Raceway in the 1990s,” said Ecclestone. “I got introduced to harness racing at a very early age when I was five to six years old, sitting in front of the TV with my grandpa reading the [Canadian] Sportsman [magazine] and old harness racing programs and going to my local racetrack, Grand River. My parents have many friends who train/own horses and have won many big stakes races.”

The self-taught 21-year-old handicapper said he started analyzing racing programs about a decade ago.

“I knew I wanted to get into the analytical/handicapping part of the racing world when I ‘won’ my first handicapping contest at around 15-16 years old at my local track Grand River, where I gave my dad my picks for the night and I won the top prize of [I think] $200!”

Ecclestone now works at the Elora, Ont. track, where he began doing digital timing in 2021. “

I still use the old stopwatch just in case the judges want a second look for times,” he added. “In 2022, I was doing double duty working as the timer and the photo finish operator, which is an awesome job!”

He thanked ONTrack Media & Entertainment manager Greg Skawinski and technical director Christine Munday, as well as retired Raceway manager Jamie Martin and current Raceway manager Chad Rozema, for the opportunities at his home track. 

Since 2022, Ecclestone’s Grand River selections have appeared alongside those of handicapper Robert Reid Jr., track announcer Gary Guy and Woodbine Mohawk Park announcer/Grand River tip sheet writer Ken Middleton. He has also been a contributor/guest on various online racing forums and shows. 

Ecclestone said he will attend the Broadcast-Radio Program at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ont this fall.

“I hope this can bring me one step closer to a job in the industry working as an on-air analyst for either my first love, horse racing, or second love for sports betting.” 

Follow Conley at @ConleyPicks on Twitter and his Grand River selections at @RiverInsider. 

(With files from USHWA)