In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith takes an in depth look at the 1994 racing season as it pertained to the Ontario Sires Stakes Program which started twenty years earlier in 1974. His piece shows the progression of the great program and how it had matured over the first 20 years.
Mr G, a homebred product from the stable of Windsor-based trainer Bob McIntosh, led his division in 1994 O.S.S. action. The three-year-old son of Armbro Getty won $246,820 for his rather well-known quartet of owners, with over $176,000 earned in O.S.S. action. His mark of 1:54h over the Elmira half-miler was a track record. Steve Condren was his regular driver. Photo autographed by Paul Ysebaert (Courtesy of Terry Mullen)
Back in 1974 when the brand new O.S.S. series began, it was designed to be among the best of its kind and soon it was, right from the start. It was well thought out and planned with immediate success in mind. By the conclusion of the 1994 season (the basis for my study) some major numbers were coming up in every department. A couple of decades earlier horse owners, breeders and trainers were not very well rewarded for their efforts at raising and racing two and three-year-olds. The O.S.S. turned that all around in fairly short order. The annual earnings and speed tabs of Ontario breds were among the tops in the entire sport.
The following list shows the top three performers in each of the eight categories for the 1994 season. Also included are the rounded earnings (O.S.S. only) and speed tab of each horse. For historical purposes, the top earner in each group from 1974 the year the program started is shown and where possible is listed the horse's connections.
Three-Year-Old Filly Trotters - 1994
Top three performers:
1. Casurina - $159,300 - 1:55.4
2. Go To The Top - $108,700 - 1:57.2
3. Acadian Beauty - $64,700 - 2:00.3
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Garma Haughty with $34,581 earned from a very limited but successful number of starts.
Three-Year-Old Filly Pacers - 1994
Top three performers:
1. Mystic Music - $249,000 - 1:55
2. Heatherjeankillean $120,300 - 1:55
3. Queens Arms $104,300 - 1:54.4
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Merrywood Sara who earned $56,791 and took a record of 2:01 at Kingston. She also fashioned the fastest mile on a half miler scoring in 2:03 at Elmira. Owned by Eric McElroy of Grand Bend, the daughter of Skippys Pride C was handled by farm trainer Don Larkin. This filly recorded the overall fastest mile of the entire season with her mile at Kingston.
Three-Year-Old Colt Trotters - 1994
In 1994 Armbro Marshall, a three-year-old son of Balanced Image, led all O.S.S. performers in money earnings and that included those from the pacing gait. The star pupil of Wm. Wellwood helped propel his trainer and driver to the top of the trainer's earnings list with $475,741 banked. Wellwood (pictured above) finished second to Bob McIntosh in the Johnston Cup standings. The program was proving to be quite lucrative. Shown above is Armbro Marshall in late season O..S.S. action at Windsor
Top three performers:
1. Armbro Marshall - $250,300 - 1:55.1
2. Goodtimes - $120,700 - 1:55.4
3. Glorys Comet - $119,000 - 1:56
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Garma Hooligan with $57,168 banked for owner Dr. Oscar Smith of Dundas.
Brent Davies handled the driving chores.
Three-Year-Old Colt Pacers - 1994
Top three performers:
1. Mr. G - $176,402 - 1:52.3
2. Armbro Maestro - $162,500 - 1:52.0
3. C B Flight - $92,000 - 1:52.2
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Terry Parker, who won $63,866 and took a season's best of 2:03.1. This colt was owned and at times driven by the legendary Clint Hodgins. Also driving regularly was Harold Wellwood Sr. While the races were for youngsters these two fellows showed that seasoned veterans could be successful as well. At this time Harold was 68 and Clint 67!
Two-Year-Old Filly Trotters - 1994
Top three performers:
1. Glory Ordinaire - $142,400 - 2:01.3
2. Brylin Glory - $125,000 - 1:59.2
3. Divorce Attorney - $73,500 - 2:04.1
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Shawland Belle who won an amazing $62,502 and in the process won six races. The daughter of Hoot Frost raced out of the stable of veteran horseman Don Davies for owner and breeder Jim Shaw of Ancaster. Her winnings were even more incredible based on the fact that her dam was purchased for a mere $700. Her season's summary was in many ways the success story of the entire first year of the O.S.S.
Two-Year-Old Filly Pacers - 1994
Elegant Killean earned more than double her closest classmate as the free-legged daughter of Run The Table led the way for trainer, driver and part owner Carl Jamieson, pictured above. The then 44-year-old native of Nova Scotia had a banner year with this youngster that he co-owned along with Dolores Lawrence of Oakville and Jacques Roy of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Her total season's earnings totalled over $283,000 with a shade over $171,000 coming from O.S.S. earnings.
Top three performers:
1. Elegant Killean - $171,200 - 1:54.4
2. Joyce Seelster - $82,800 - 1:57
3. Deeliriousness - $79,700 - 1:56.2
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was the very successful Epiphany, who took home $54,296 for owners Bud McCardle -- a High School science teacher from Woodville -- and Dr. George Johnstone of Fenelon Falls. Allan Nicholls was the lucky trainer and driver of the daughter of Moorelands Dan. Her record of 2:05.4 seems to be her season's best.
Two-Year-Old Colt Trotters - 1994
Top three performers:
1. Going Smartly - $143,000 - 2:01.3
2. Armbro Norbert - $131,000 - 1:59
3. Dell Ridge Image - $94,000 - 1:59.4
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Delvin Herbert, racing out of the Herbert Stable from London with Jack doing the training and driving. His season's take was $ 41,275 with a record of 2:07 taken at Rideau Carleton.
Two-Year-Old Colt Pacers - 1994
Top three performers
1. Rabbi Of Racing - $193,000 - 1:55.1
2. Gypper Lee - $105,500 - 1:56
3. Canadians Choice - $74,600 - 1:56.2
In 1974 the leading money winning performer in this category was Pats Bye Bye who earned $53,676 based on a phenomenal seven wins and a second in nine season's starts. This youngster boasted of many of the same credentials as the three-year-old pacing king Terry Parker as he was owned by Clint Hodgins and driven on a regular basis by Harold Wellwood. This two-horse combination easily made Hodgins the largest money earner for year one with a total of $117,542 from O.S.S. competition.
The above table shows the standings for 1994
Bill Gale was the leading driver in O.S.S. competition for the 1994 season in money earnings topping the charts at $415,960. Dave Wall captured his first Lampman Cup and finished third behind Bill Gale and Steve Condren in the money earnings list. Ross Battin led all drivers in wins with 14. (Windsor Star)
Who Is It?
?
Can you identify the two young gentlemen in this week's photo? The correct answer will be given during the coming week.
This week's Who Is It ? duo
This week's Who Is It ? duo was indeed Ted Andrews (left) and Wm. "Magic Man" O'Donnell - both fellow Maritimers. It was taken in 1984 following a win by Fancy Crown in that year's Kentucky Futurity.
Thanks again to those who submitted their suggestions and please do so again in future editions .
Might also be 1983. Power
Might also be 1983. Power Seat - same event - same connections.
Bill Andrew,Magic Man. Fancy
Bill Andrew,Magic Man. Fancy Crown Kentucky Futurity
Another great Article Robert
Another great Article Robert on our Industry as it was 23 years ago. Hard to believe how much speed has been developed in these years. Especially on the trotting side.
Great Pics. Keep up the good work. I always enjoy reading your Posts.
Marv C
Glen Brown said : I think
Glen Brown said :
I think it's Ted Andrews and Bill O'Donnell .
Al McIntosh emailed the
Al McIntosh emailed the following :
The two gentlemen are Ted Andrews and Bill O Donnell in the floral chair after wining the Kentucky Futurity .