This past weekend Canadian harness racing expanded its fan base by hundreds as a result of the fourth annual Bring A Friend National Challenge.

The three-day event was coordinated by Standardbred Canada’s I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club in partnership with eight enthusiastic tracks across the country. The promotion challenged members of the industry to introduce their friends to the sport.

Thanks to the efforts of our members and fans, the Bring A Friend event proved to be a success! With rides in the starting gate car, rides in double seated jog carts, winner’s circle presentations, meet & greets with drivers, and behind the scenes tours, newcomers received the full VIP experience.

The Bring A Friend promotion kicked off Friday evening at Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ontario.

Trent MacDonnell, Marketing & Communications Assistant said the Bring A Friend night fit right in at Grand River Raceway. “We pride ourselves on delivering a memorable experience. The Bring A Friend campaign was a good addition to our Fun & Frivolity Friday Night. We received an excellent response at our Bring A Friend registration table prior to post time and the ‘Group Bet’ wager offered on behalf of the Bring A Friend campaign for people in attendance and their friends was one of my favourite contests of the season.”

The winners of the Grand River Raceway ‘Group Bet’ were Shayne Batters and his friend Melanie who attended the races on Bring A Friend night for their first time!

Shayne Batters and friend Melanie at Grand River

On Saturday, the Bring A Friend excitement continued at Hanover Raceway in Hanover, Ontario, Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia, Ontario and Mohawk Racetrack in Campbelleville, Ontario.

Hanover Raceway enjoyed a great evening of weather and racing for their Bring A Friend night and introduced harness racing to 25 newcomers who followed their friends to the track to get in on the action!

Gord Dougan, General Manager at Hanover Raceway said it was a gorgeous evening. “The new fans got prizes from Molson, a chance to ride in the starting car and their picture in the winner’s circle.”

Laura Moore of Harriston, Ontario and Steward Rowley of Listowel, Ontario won prizes, while Diane Stephens and Kim McComb of Chatsworth, Ontario won a ride in the starting car. To finish things off, Ally and Scott Cargoe of Orillia, Ontario, had their picture taken in the winner's circle.

Stewart Rowley and friend at Hanover Raceway

Hiawatha Horse Park boasted their biggest crowd of the year for Bring A Friend night. Barbara Phillips of Blenheim, Ontario was the winner of the Fan Club’s Survivor Contest which landed her a $50 Fan Club prize package. Many other race fans left with their arms full of draw prizes which included driving range gift cards, a Keurig coffee machine, glassware and knife set and much more!

Mohawk Racetrack treated their first 50 guests with free programs and free $2 bets. Matthew Nasso, Guest Experience Coordinator for Woodbine Entertainment Group, said that the event went very well. “Registrants really enjoyed the programs and betting cards they received when they signed-in.”

Moving into Sunday, Truro Raceway, Century Downs Racetrack & Casino, Clinton Raceway and Rideau Carleton Raceway pulled out all the stops to ensure race fans and their guests had an unforgettable Bring A Friend experience.

Truro Raceway’s afternoon card kicked off at 1:00 p.m. with members and friends being greeted and given a free program when they entered the track. Truro offered a beginner handicapping workshop and a special Meet the Drivers Session was also organized for fans and their guests to enjoy.

Century Downs Racetrack & Casino hosted the Bring A Friend event for the second year. They hosted a variety of promotions trackside including a t-shirt toss after each race, draws for starting gate rides throughout the afternoon and a betting basics course on hand for those new to wagering.

Moving back to Ontario, Clinton Raceway offered free programs and tip sheets to Bring A Friend guests. There was music in between races to entertain fans as well as an appearance from CR Trotter, the Raceway’s mascot.

Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa, Ontario, had an exciting evening of racing with lots of new faces in attendance.

Audree Vachon, Marketing Manager, explained “Bring A Friend night was a great evening at the races, as many visited the raceway for the very first time. The night made a total of 12 winners. They enjoyed a ride in the gate car for a spectacular view of the races and a few souvenirs. Our loyal fans also loved the perks this event offered, including a $2 betting voucher for our first 100 participants to enter our contest and free programs. The atmosphere was lively as a bigger crowd gathered to cheer on their favourite horses.”

Tarmac at Rideau Carleton Raceway

The I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club would like to thank all industry members and fans who brought a friend to the track to be an ambassador and promote our sport!

To view more photos from Bring A Friend weekend, click the following link: Bring A Friend 2016 Photo Gallery