Hours before the calendar flipped to 2017, the draw took place to see which lucky individual would win 25 per cent of a freshman pacing colt and not have to pay bills for the entire season.

The raffle was conducted by the Eastern Equine Centre, located on Prince Edward Island, and the youngster in question is the Ontario Sires Stakes-eligible Big Jim colt Big Talking Man, who officially turned two right after the ball dropped.

The draw took place live during Red Shores’ race day broadcast on December 31. The cost of the raffle tickets was $100, and they were limited to 250.

Darryl MacDonald from Cape Breton, NS was the lucky winner.

The raffle was conducted and drawn under PEI Jurisdiction, via Lottery License #14102, and a portion of the proceeds from the contest will go to support Pinette Raceway Inc. (865536486RT0001), which holds matinee races during the summer.

(With files from the Eastern Equine Centre)