The Cloverdale Reporter has run a profile piece on veteran horseman Ray Gemmill, who capped off his six-decade racing career on Sunday, December 7 with a celebration in the Fraser Downs backstretch.

In late November, The Province broke the news of Gemmill’s pending retirement. In the Cloverdale Reporter’s piece this past weekend, Harness Racing BC Executive Director Jackson Wittup stated that he suspects that the tough winter weather is one of the factors that led the 84-year-old’s retirement.

"I think he would have hung in there a little longer if we raced in the summer," Wittup was quoted as saying.

Gemmill’s career in Standardbred racing is vast. After having already established himself in the Ontario racing industry, Gemmill made the move to the west coast in order to help found Cloverdale Raceway, which is now known as Fraser Downs.

The Cloverdale Reporter piece also states that Gemmill won the first-ever race at Cloverdale Raceway, as he piloted Guy Dominion, owned by nine members of the Vancouver Canucks, to victory.

Gemmill, who has been based out of Fraser Downs for 38 years, told the Cloverdale Reporter that he was able to stay in the racing industry for so long because he truly loved his job.

To comment on Gemmill’s retirement, or to send him some well-wishes, please do so here.

(With files from the Cloverdale Reporter)