SC Rewind: Remembering John Chapman

In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith profiles the career of one of Canada's greatest horsemen of the 20th century. That gentleman was the late John Chapman, a member of one of the best known families in the sport a half century ago. He is a member of both the Canadian and U.S. Hall of Fame.

A little over 40 years ago, on May 2, 1980 the sport of harness racing lost one of its finest citizens with the untimely passing of Johnny Chapman; he was just 51 at the time. "Chappie" as he was known to all was stricken with a heart attack just before leaving his home for Roosevelt Raceway. His career, which began in the decade of the 1940's back at Dufferin Park right near his home in Toronto, led him to many of the top events the sport had to offer. He was known as an elite horseman and acquitted himself well in everything he did.

Chappie grew up being involved in his father's stable at a very young age which often included some of the better pacers and trotters campaigning in the rather short racing season Canada then had to offer. A long-time member of the Chapman stable was Canada's best known horse of the times, The Count B., a four-time winner of the prestigious Canadian Pacing Derby then held at New Hamburg, Ont. After winning three Derbies with Cliff Chapman Sr. in the bike, in 1948 a young Johnny, just 19 at the time, piloted this famous horse to his fourth and final win in the annual classic.

A very young Johnny Chapman scores his first career victory driving Cyrus Martin at Dufferin Park in his native Toronto Ont. (Chapman family archives)

In 1948 Johnny Chapman won his first ever race at Dufferin Park in Toronto with a horse named Cyrus Martin owned by Jim Brown of New Liskeard, Ont. At that time very few opportunities existed in Canada and many of the successful trainers and drivers of the day went to the U.S. to ply their trade. The young budding horseman began to spend the racing season each year at the two popular N.Y. State tracks located at Batavia and Hamburg, the home of Buffalo Raceway. Armed with a base of good quality performers in his own outfit he also attracted many catch drives which added to his success. John also met his future wife Janice during this time; she hailed from Hamburg, N.Y. They became parents of four children.

John Chapman appears with trotting great Delmonica Hanover, a two-time winner of the International Trot. He was chosen by the mare's trainer Delvin Miller to campaign this exceptional performer which was an extreme compliment to his abilities.

After forming his own large and powerful stable on the Buffalo-Batavia circuit he eventually moved to Roosevelt Raceway, the pinnacle of harness racing at that time. He captured many of the sport's top events including the Roosevelt International Trot which he won with Delmonica Hanover in 1973 and 1974. In 1977 he took the Little Brown Jug in straight heats driving Governor Skipper. Earlier that season Johnny won the first ever Confederation Cup with Governor Skipper at Flamboro Downs. In later years he did not return to Canadian soil too often but when he did he usually had a pretty good shot at winning.

The Chapman brothers are shown in this 1977 scene during the inaugural of the Confederation Cup. Cliff Jr. on the left was the long-time editor of The Canadian Sportsman as well as many other roles he filled. In the centre is Carl Chapman, a top trainer of thoroughbreds. On the right is John, the subject of today's Rewind. (Photo by Gary Foerster / Can. Sportsman)

I can remember a happening from Chappie's career in the early years, mainly because my late father knew both Johnny and Harold Wellwood. In about the mid 1950's Chappie had a really nice three-year-old colt named Hal O Matic for one of his principal owners; I believe their name was Kennedy. He was from the last crop of the famous sire Hal Dale. Johnny got injured fairly early in the season and was out for a long stretch. He wanted so badly to start this colt in the Jug that year and didn't want just anybody driving him in his absence. He asked Harold as a special favour if he would take over driving him for as long as he was laid up because he knew he would not ruin him. I think Harold won about four or five races with him and most if not all were in Open competition facing aged performers as the opportunities for three-year-olds were somewhat limited back then.

By mid-September Chappy was back in the sulky and made it to the Jug but the best he could do was a sixth-place finish and thus no appearance in the final heat. About a week or so later Hal O Matic went to Lexington in hopes of securing a sub-2:00 record but finished second in a mile that went in around 2:00 flat. While not exactly what the plans called for the horse still had a very productive season.

A dapper looking Chapman appears in street clothes at his Roosevelt Raceway stable in Westbury, N.Y.

In 1975 Chappy returned to Toronto's Greenwood Raceway for quite a productive day. It was the day of that year's Maple Leaf Trot and he piloted a horse to victory in each of the elimination heats. He won the first elim with Delmonica Hanover and also took the second with Savoir. His performance was amazing on this day as he was suffering from a lingering virus that would have kept most drivers on the sidelines. (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Sportsman)

Johnny Chapman was part of a great class of horsemen that emerged around the end of WWII. The sport of harness racing was changing rapidly and young men such as "Chappy" were a big part of the change. They were more articulate, business-minded and able to earn a respectable living training and driving horses. Their emphasis was on improving the image of the sport and making it more appealing as a major sport.

Johnny Chapman's life story was an inspiring one that saw him win many of the sport's top races and capture numerous drivers titles. It also included more than his share of tragedies as a 1962 fire tragically wiped out his entire stable of horses. He was able to bounce back and achieve even higher heights. Chappie won 3,915 races in his shortened career and earned purses that totalled well in excess of $21 million. He will forever be missed by those who remember him and what he brought to the sport of harness racing. He truly left us way too soon.

A very young Johnny Chapman driving Forest Ranger at Buffalo Raceway (Harness Horse)

Quote For The Week: "When you see a man opening a car door for a woman chances are either she or the car is fairly new."

Who Is It?

Can you identify this young lad? He won a lot of races and was introduced to the sport by a well-known horseman who employed him for many years. Can you name the pictured gent as well as his mentor?

Who Else Is It?

Can you correctly identify this very accomplished driver? If you recognize him let us know. Be sure to stay tuned during the upcoming week to find out the correct answers.