The 2024 season wrapped up at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Dec. 15, with driver Guy Gagnon and trainer Mandy Archer closing out their leading campaigns in style.

Gagnon capped off a strong season with a driving grand slam, securing four wins on the card, including victories with two of his own trainees. He began his winning streak in Race 7, guiding Ciel Bleu ($2.60) to a dominant performance. He followed it up with another win in Race 9 aboard Beach Journey ($10.60) before continuing his success in Race 10 with Midnight Mood ($18.80) for trainer Jamie Johnston. Gagnon’s final win came in the Race 11 finale with Woodmere Gaelic ($6.50) for trainer Steve Belisle.

The Race 9 victory was particularly notable as it helped Beach Journey, an eight-year-old mare by Net Ten Eom out of Diva Du Jour, reach the milestone of 50 career wins. Beach Journey is driven, trained, and owned by Guy Gagnon, further cementing his dominance on the track.

In total, Gagnon finished the season with 174 wins from 599 starts. His impressive record also included 121 second-place finishes and 82 third-place finishes.

On the training side, Mandy Archer added to her successful year with a win in Race 6, as Thatll Be Tiger ($4.80) triumphed under the drive of Robert Shepherd. The six-year-old Tigerama - Thatll Be Amber pacer picked up the victory for owner Daniel Sarafian. 

Archer wrapped up the season with 99 wins, 64 second-place finishes, and 56 third-place shows from 385 starts, ranking as the leading trainer.

Another highlight on the card was the continued success of G A Speed Expert, who notched his sixth consecutive win. The three-year-old pacer, by Sportswriter out of Surprise De Mars, was driven by Robert Shepherd and trained by David Pilon for owner Alain Carrier. With this victory, G A Speed Expert has now won eight times in 16 starts this season, recording a remarkable streak.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)