SC Rewind – Wm. Gardner’s Scrapbook

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith talks about the scrapbook of one time horseman and noted racing official, the late Wm. "Bill" Gardner of Goderich, Ont.

Many years ago I found out that most of the interesting parts of the past of Canadian harness racing are not found safely tucked away in some neatly written volumes in the catacombs of your local library. I did find though that most of it is stored in the memories of a lot of individuals across the land and also in many old scrapbooks, carefully kept by a number of yesteryear racing families. Thanks to the generosity of the family of the late Wm. Gardner of Goderich, I have had the pleasure of "leafing" through the many pages of their family's archives. I must also thank fellow townsman Ron McGee for taking a genuine interest and acting as my local agent. The book, now a bit tattered from the years, was retrieved from its current home with Wm. Gardner Jr. in Chilliwack, B.C. Through the "miracles" of modern technology, I now too have a copy of some of the clippings.

William Gardner was born in 1916 in Goderich Township, the son of Adelbert "Del" and Flossie Gardner, folks of Scottish ancestry. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gardner Sr. many long years ago at Batavia, New York as he worked as a groom in his son's racing operation. I recall him as a gentleman of the first order. Young Bill came about his love and knowledge of horses naturally as he was born into the environment of horses being used on the family farm. He was, however, to eventually leave the farming life as he accepted a position with the Huron County police force which was later amalgamated with the O.P.P. organization. After a number of years in law enforcement his career path led back to Goderich and his entry into harness racing and at times working in his brother's GM dealership.

Exactly when he first started is not a topic of the scrapbook but late in the 1940's seems to be a logical date. His early years were spent mainly on the Southern Ontario small town and fall fair circuit. His driving skills soon led him to be sought after by other horse owners as well as the training and driving of his own string. It must be remembered that being a full time horseman in this era was no easy feat. The season was relatively short, the purses were small and the opportunities for a small to medium sized stable of horses was seldom profitable. Somehow people like Bill Gardner made it work.

Anyone who remembers the career of Bill Gardner is likely to immediately recall the name and perhaps even the nature of his finest horse...Huron Express. Although a number of notable performers carried the Gardner colours, none was a more prolific winner or excited more fans than this rather obscurely bred black gelding. He was such a popular attraction that people made special trips to the places this almost unbeatable pair were racing. In the late 1970's I met and became good friends with a gentleman named Don Kirkland who hailed from Lucknow, Ont. and often attended races at the local fall fairs in his area as a young boy. As soon as he learned of my interest in harness racing he immediately asked if I had ever heard of HURON EXPRESS? Yes, of course and so did a host of others. The career of this horse will be a separate Rewind topic one day soon.

Fairly early in Bill Gardner's driving career he suffered a serious racing accident. It was so severe that he spent several months in hospital and was forever hampered by its effects. I would guess that a person of less resolve would not have been able to perform at such a strenuous occupation for as long as he did. The mishap occurred on Thanksgiving weekend at Strathroy, Ont., in October of 1952. He was driving a horse named Day Direct for local owner Fred Thrower in the opening heat of the day's racing. Exactly what happened I do not know but Mr. Gardner sustained very serious leg injuries which left him with a multitude of related ailments and often restricted his activities but never his ambition or love of the sport.

As time went on, The Gardner Stable which at times included co-owners moved farther afield from the local Towns and villages. Bill's brother Jack, who operated a GM car dealership in Goderich and Bill Woods, owner of a newspaper stand and billiard parlour in the Town Square, partnered on a few horses. Racing at Thorncliffe Park and then the popular summer meetings at Old Woodbine, trips across the border to Buffalo and Batavia in New York and even as far away as Quebec City became the routine. When the stable moved to Quebec City in 1958 the horses and equipment travelled by train. A number of local horsemen led the horses several blocks from the Goderich Fairgrounds to the train station to board for the long trip east.

Perhaps partially due to the wear and tear of the years after his accident, around 1960 and by then in his mid 40's, Bill made a major career change. He accepted a position as a presiding judge working for the C.T.A. His long years of involvement made him a logical candidate for the job. I am also sure that the prospects of a more stable income and working schedule was a welcome change. He was to serve for the next 25 years, presiding over races across the land, including Western Canada. He was highly respected and performed with distinction.

In 1981 Bill Gardner passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer, leaving behind his wife Margery, daughters Donna, Janet and Judy and son William Jr. He continued his work as a judge as long as he could. With his passing came the loss of a man who gave many years to the sport of harness racing in a variety of ways. He is fondly remembered by his contemporaries and thankfully many of his exploits and accomplishments are forever captured in his very interesting scrapbook.