The first annual Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary was awarded to four deserving recipients during the Friday afternoon, Boxing Day card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.

The inaugural winners were Julia Clow, Jessica Thibeau, Landon Campbell and Zachary MacFarlane with cheque presentations from David MacKenzie (General Manager Red Shores Properties), Blaine MacPherson (Chair, Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association) and members from the Oakes family.

The bursary is named in honour of the late Kent Oakes, former Chair of Standardbred Canada who spent 35 years in the civil service of the P.E.I. Provincial Government in the departments of Agriculture and Finance administering the Island Harness Racing Industry. Red Shores and the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association partner on the bursary that will awarded annually to outstanding candidates committed to harness racing. This year, each recipient garnered $3,750 cheques to go towards their post secondary education.

Julia Clow is the daughter of Les and Deanna Clow of New Haven, P.E.I. She has been involved in harness racing from an early age helping with the family stable and paddocking for the Harold Shepherd stable. Clow also helps with 50/50 draw sales for the Prince County Horsemen’s Club in Summerside, P.E.I., and slip running at the Atlantic Classic Sale. She is currently in her first year of studying Psychology at University of Prince Edward Island. 

Jessica Thibeau is the daughter of Blaine and Jennifer Thibeau of Kensington, P.E.I. She grew up on her father's breeding farm where she learned the ropes of foaling mares, newborn foal care and yearling prep. Thibeau first became involved with horse ownership in 2020 with a special filly named Our Girl Annie, who eventually won the 2022 Atlantic Breeders Crown for two-year-old fillies at Charlottetown Driving Park. She is in her third year of studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of New Brunswick.

Landon Campbell is the son of Marc and Natasha Campbell of Vernon Bridge, P.E.I. He grew up in a harness racing and recently took over training duties of the family stable. Campbell has been nominated for the Future Star Award at the 2025 O’Brien Awards and is currently pursuing his pari-mutuel driver’s license. He is enrolled in his first year of studying Welding at Holland College.  

Zachary MacFarlane was introduced to the industry by his grandmother, Cheryl MacFarlane of Stratford, P.E.I. They own three horses together under the care of trainer Ron Matheson. MacFarlane has enjoyed learning about the day-to-day care of horses and assisting in the operations of the stable on race days. MacFarlane is currently in his first year of studying Biology at Dalhousie University.  

(With files from Red Shores)

Photo of the first annual Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary presentation (from left to right): David MacKenzie (General Manager Red Shores Properties), Blaine MacPherson (Chair, Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association), Charlea Oakes, Leo Oakes, Jeremy Oakes, Darryl Oakes, Wayne Oakes, Zachary MacFarlane, Landon Campbell, Jessica Thibeau and Julia Clow.