In this week's edition of Rewind, Robert Smith takes a trip back in time to 1986, 40 years ago, and recalls a few of that year's highlights. He has included some old related photos to add to the stories. Today's subject will be covered in two parts, with the second appearing in an upcoming Rewind.
I have attempted to find a few happenings, faces and other recollections of this time period 40 years ago. It is not intended to be all-inclusive of the events back then, mainly just the ones I could find adequate information on.
A Few of the Year's Big Races
London's signature event in 1986, The Labatt's Pace, went to Next Night Out, driven by Larry Walker and trained by Wm. Robinson, with a winning time of 1:58.4. This was well off the track record of 1:56.2, set in 1981 by another Robinson trainee, Lime Time, driven by Doug Brown. This marked the first time in six years that either Doug Brown or Dave Wall had not been the winning driver. The purse for this event was $35,000.
The winner of the 1986 Walter Dale Memorial Race was Burners Delight, handled by Wally Hennessey in 1:59.3. This was his third win in this event, having taken home victories behind Pennant Play in 1981 and Gemini Risk in 1984.
The Maple Leaf Trot, held on July 21 at Greenwood, went to Grades Singing and driver Herve Filion. Her clocking of 1:57.2 set a new track record for aged mares and equalled Bridger's all-time mark. With two heat wins on this day, the now four-year-old mare notched wins 13 and 14 on the year for owners Ferme Grande of St. Basile Le Grande, Que.
Grades Singing and Herve Filion, winners of the 1986 Maple Leaf Trot.
1986 Gold Cup & Saucer Won By Phil Pinkney
A commemorative program front from Truro Raceway following the passing of legendary driver Phil Pinkney.
The 1986 Gold Cup & Saucer Race went to a horse with a name perhaps more suited for auto racing than horse racing. That horse was Rev Your Engine, driven by Phil Pinkney. This win gave the native Maritimer his second Cup victory, to go along with his win in 1978 with Nickname.
Pinkney thus joined several other drivers who had recorded multiple Cup and Saucer victories up to that point in time. They were Mike MacDonald, James "Roach" McGregor, James Moore, Art Porter and Joe Smallwood.
When Phil Pinkney passed away in 2021, a special set of races called the "Phil Pinkney Memorial Stakes" was named in his honour and is held each season at Truro Raceway.
Other Happenings
On May 27, a group of the best female drivers on the continent made an appearance at Flamboro Downs as part of the North American Lady Harness Driving Championship. Karen Fekete (fourth from left) was the winner with 138 points. From left are Janet Irvine, Betsy Philips, Danielle Duquet, Karen Fekete, Linda Duncan, Susan Looney, Cindy Horner and Barb Newell. In the centre-left is Charles Juravinski, track president, and O.R.C. Chairman Frank Drea, on hand to present the awards.
LACHANCE RECORDS 770 WINS IN 1986
On November 30, 1986, a special day was held at Blue Bonnets to recognize and honour Mike Lachance on his career year. Part of the day involved driving in 11 races and adding four more victories to his record-breaking total.
He was then presented with a gold watch and a painting by Blue Bonnets President Andre Marier, after which he delivered a very short speech. Typical of his low-key approach to talking about his own accomplishments, part of his speech stated, "I had a speech prepared for today, but I was so busy winning races that I forgot it."
Recently retired horseman Paul MacDonell (announced August 23, 2026), although then very early in his career, was drawing rave reviews for his winning ways. He was also already in demand for his opinions and advice on matters related to training and, at times, had input in The Standardbred magazine.
Paul is shown winning a division of the Tie Silk series at Greenwood with his then stable star, Robins Wonder. It's pretty safe to say that he accomplished quite a bit more in the next 40 years.
PASSINGS
William Robert Haughton is shown in a very early photo taken around 1950 (Hoof Beats photo).
On July 15, 1986, the entire world of harness racing mourned the loss of its favourite personality when famed horseman Wm. "Billy" Haughton passed away at age 62. His death resulted from injuries sustained in an accident at Yonkers Raceway on July 5.
The following is an excerpt from a Rewind column from 2016 dedicated to Billy's fabulous career.
"By 1947, just after the end of WWII, his full-time career in the sport began with the operation of a public stable at the Saratoga Springs track. His business acumen and superior horsemanship soon combined to form a winning formula on and off the track. His ability to win races and run a stable soon attracted prospective owners, and many lasting relationships began to form. His popularity was apparent from the start, and it was a trait that would continue through his long career."
On May 29, Georges Giguere passed away at the age of 66. For several decades, he had organized and promoted the sport at Montreal's two big tracks and guided the sport in many ways. He was credited with organizing one of the greatest days in Canadian harness racing history when, in 1961, he brought Adios Butler to Richelieu Park for a huge Sunday crowd, a day that is still talked about by veteran race fans.
Mr. Giguere is pictured here in his office, showing a picture of Adios Butler's record-setting day back in 1961. (Harness Horsemen's International magazine.)
ODDS AND ENDS
As the calendars changed from 1985 to 1986, a lot of racing activity was underway in Canada, all across the land. In alphabetical order, the following tracks were in action for winter racing, with cards surrounding the New Year holiday: Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Barrie Raceway, Blue Bonnets in Montreal, Calgary's Stampede Park, Cloverdale in Surrey, B.C., Connaught Park, Flamboro Downs, Greenwood in Toronto, Kawartha Downs, Kingston Park, Orangeville Raceway, Pre Vert in Jonquiere, Quebec, Quebec City, Sudbury Downs, Western Fair in London and, lastly, Windsor Raceway.
At this time, 40 years ago, tracks were still charging admission, and a standard part of the race results included the attendance figures.
The ever-tough Ontario Jockey Club circuit saw a rather young, non-driving trainer win the Trainer of the Year title. His name was Gary Kingshott.
Quote For The Week: "When you know it all, you know nothing. Learn something new every day." - Not sure who the original belongs to, but I did read that this bit of wisdom was at times used by the late Phil Pinkney, a revered Maritime horseman mentioned elsewhere today.
Who Is It?
In 1986, this young Canadian horseman was just 28 years of age. He was in demand as a driver at both Canadian and U.S. tracks. Can you identify him?
Who Else Is It?
Can you correctly identify the young fellow shown above?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)