In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls a bit about the now lengthy history of the Fan Hanover stakes races and takes readers back to a very early edition from over 40 years ago.  

1981 Horse of the Year Fan Hanover, in rein to Glen Garnsey

Back in 1984 a young U.S. driver made a profitable trip across the border to compete in that year's edition of the great annual classic for three-year-old pacing fillies, The Fan Hanover. It was held at Greenwood Raceway on July 6, 1984. This was just the second renewal of this race which began at Greenwood in 1983. The very first winner was Armbro Bramble, driven to victory by Jack Kopas for the Armstrong Stable. The inaugural race carried a purse of $36,200.

That young 19-year-old driver referred to above was Richard "Richie" Silverman and he was the pilot of the 1984 winner Peachbottom, who outpaced second-place finisher New Miss Wiper (Ron Waples). This was Silverman's first ever stakes win and obviously the largest triumph of his young career. Peachbottom was a full sister to the outstanding No Nukes who at the time had a record of 1:52.1.

In 1984 this race carried what was considered a sizable purse of $90,500. Because the event drew a total of 13 entrants, it was split into two elimination heats followed by a final, all held on the same evening. Today not too many people are in favour of the old time heat racing so eliminations are held a week prior to the final.

Summary Of 1984 Fan Hanover for Three-Year-Old Filly Pacers

Peachbottom wins the first heat of the 1984 Fan Hanover Pace for driver Richie Silverman. Second is New Miss Wiper driven by Ron Waples.  (Steve Tambosso photo)

First Heat - $27,150

Peachbottom (R. Silverman) - 1
New Miss Wiper (Ron Waples) - 2
Little Stinker (Dave Wall) - 3
Black Narcissus (Glen Garnsey) - 4

Winning Owners / Lessee: The Fielding Farms Group, Bethesda, Md.
Trainer: Jerry Silverman

Time: 1:57.2

Second Heat - $27,150

Homemade Lovin (Trevor Ritchie) - 1
Cookin With Gas (Doug Brown) - 2
Super Fortune - 3
Highland Song - 4

Winning Owner - Audrey Smith, London, Ont. 
Trainer - Bob McIntosh

Time: 1:59

Final - $36,200

Peachbottom (R. Silverman) - 1
New Miss Wiper (Ron Waples) - 2
Homemade Lovin (Trevor Ritchie)- 3

Time: 1:56.4 - New Stakes Record

Following the race a trackside presentation was made by Pat Brown, the wife of Dr. Glen Brown, accompanied by her daughter Lynn Brown and Diane Bittner of Brampton.  Receiving the trophy was trainer Jerry Silverman, the driver's father, who accepted on behalf of the owners.

The Fan Hanover Filly Pace was instituted as an annual race honouring great horses of the past in 1983. She holds a special place in harness racing history as the only mare to ever win The Little Brown Jug when she won it in 1981 for owner Dr. Glen Brown and was driven by Glen Garnsey, who guided her through a stellar career.  

The following note was received quite a few years ago from Dr. Glen Brown the owner of Fan Hanover and adds nicely to my story. My thanks to Dr. Brown.  

The first edition of the stake in her honour was raced at Greenwood in 1983 and was won by Armstrong's Armbro Bramble with Jack Kopas driving. They raced it there until 1993, then to Woodbine from 1994 to 2004. From there it made its last move to Mohawk.

Fan had been horse of the year in Canada at two and three,  with her final season at four in 1982. She was the star filly here, and in the fall of 1982 when the Ontario Jockey Club were planning a top stakes race for three year old fillies, you can understand how they chose her to honour. That first purse was $36.200, pretty big for that era.

I've attached below a copy of her obituary.

Glen Brown

Fan Hanover appears with friends and family. From left is Charles Armstrong, Pat (Mrs. Glen Brown), owner Dr. Glen Brown, groom Odell Short, Fan Hanover and driver Glen Garnsey.

FAN HANOVER DEAD AT AGE 33

Fan Hanover, the only filly to win the Little Brown Jug, died on Aug. 23, 2011 at Inglewood, Ont. She has been leading a life of well-deserved retirement since producing her last foal in 2001. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living Horse Of The Year, Standardbred or Thoroughbred.

Purchased as a yearling at Harrisburg in 1979 for $20,000 by Dr. Glen Brown, the daughter of Albatross from Farm Norah was trained and driven by the late Glen Garnsey during her three racing seasons. The late Odell Short was her caretaker throughout that career. She remained in Dr. Brown’s ownership until her death.

At two, she won 16 of 19 starts, with two seconds and a third for earnings of $201,264. Her record at two of 1:56.4f was a new world record. She set three track records at two and was voted Horse Of The Year in Canada.

Her three-year-old season saw records set with nearly every race. She won 17 of 23 starts with three seconds and a third, for $497,718. Her earnings are even more remarkable when it’s considered that only three of her starts carried purses of $100,000 or more. She won the Little Brown Jug in straight heats, with her 1:56.3h heat equalling the world record for a filly. She also set a new world record at The Meadows of 1:55.3f. In fact, at three, she set 14 different track records, won on 11 different tracks and set a track record on six of those tracks. She had 17 wins in 2:00 or better at three, more than any filly or mare in history. She was voted Horse Of The Year in both Canada and the United States.

At four, she added another 12 wins and $270,643 to end her career with 45 wins in 72 lifetime starts for $969,724. She became the fastest female of all time with her sensational 1:50.4 time trial at Lexington. She was voted the top Older Pacing Mare at four, while winning the Milton and Roses Are Red Stakes. 

Fan Hanover had been inducted into both the Hall Of Fame at Goshen, New York, and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame. The richest stakes in the sport for three-year-old pacing fillies has been named in her honour by Woodbine Entertainment Group.

As a broodmare, she never re-produced her own brilliant qualities, although she left six winners with four in 1:57 and three winners of over $100,000.

Note: Dr. Brown passed away on May 13, 2022 in his 88th year.  We often corresponded and he was a great source of information which he shared very generously.  I miss him even though we did not ever meet in person.

Quote For The Week: “Adults are always asking children what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas.” — Paula Poundstone, American stand-up comedian, author, actress, interviewer, and commentator.

Who Is It?  

Can you identify these two gents?  What do they share in common?  This photo was taken around 1974.

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify this gentleman and also where is he standing for this photograph?  

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)