Brown Ends Driving Career At Rideau

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Successful Ontario reinsman Gord Brown concluded his driving career on Sunday night (November 20) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Earlier this week, Brown announced he would be retiring after Sunday's card.

"It's bittersweet," said Brown of his final race night, a snowy evening in Ottawa. "I wish [my last night] was last week actually with the way the roads were, but I had to know that was coming."

Brown, who won his first ever race at Greenwood in 1982, has earned more than 25 driving titles in his career at Kawartha Downs, Rideau Carleton and Quinte Raceway. Most recently, he earned the 2016 title at Kawartha, where he won the season finale with LMC Marshmellow.

In his final race at Rideau, Brown put post nine starter Dali On Up on top during the opening quarter and led through the blustery snow before being collared by Badlandia (Stephane Lareau) and favourite Stonebridge Bonus (Louis-Philippe Roy) in deep stretch to finish third.

The 55-year-old Cobourg, Ont. horseman earned his last win on November 13 at Rideau with Shipps Xpectancy. He retires with 4,232 career victories and has driven winners of more $20.1 million in purses during his career.

Brown will return to Rideau next Sunday, Nov. 27 as a special guest handicapper on the pre-race show, In The Sulky.

Driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Yves Tessier each enjoyed a four-win night on Sunday. The duo teamed up for three of their wins -- one of which was in the featured $6,950 Winners Over Handicap Pace with Bazinga Brad scoring in 2:00 for owner Louison Morin of Beauceville, Que.

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

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