SC Rewind: Racing A "Family Affair"

In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith has chosen a "family" theme to coincide with the family day holiday that is observed in many areas and this year will be celebrated on Monday, February 20.  

The sport and business of harness racing has pretty much always been a family affair.  The people involved in it most often inherit the "love" of it from a parent or other family connection and in turn pass it along to succeeding generations.  It's one of those things that is so common that it is almost considered unusual if someone enters the game in another manner.  A list of second, third and even more generations of the same family being involved in harness racing would be almost impossible to compile.  

Thanks to a rather old issue of the beloved Canadian Sportsman publication,  I came up with a good connection to today's theme.  To top it off,  I believe that "Chappy" himself (Clifford Chapman Jr. long associated with The Sportsman) was the author of this nice story.  I have had it set aside for a very long time waiting for an appropriate time to bring it out.  

One of the really nice things about harness racing is that it has always had room for all sorts of people and regardless of the size of their operation and involvement they are generally able to compete.  My subject today is the late Wm. "Bill" Stirton of Orangeville, Ont.  Bill along with his wife and family were involved for many years but generally operated a small to medium-sized outfit.  Despite dealing usually with older campaigners and ones carefully purchased at auction,  Bill is remembered as having quite a number of well performing horses.  

The family of Bill and Betty Stirton appear in this family photo taken in 1967 at the Orangeville fairgrounds.   (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Sportsman)

The story describes Bill Stirton's entry into harness racing as coming from his father even though the senior Mr. Stirton (who was also William) did not have an attachment beyond being a fan of racing.  He ran a butcher shop in the Town of Orangeville and whenever the store was closed and there was a race day nearby he attended faithfully.  In time,  "Young Bill" accompanied his Dad but he was a bit slow to take an interest but eventually got the bug.  

Bill worked at the shop after school and on weekends from a young age and when his dad's health failed he had to take on even more responsibility.  When Bill was just 19 his father passed away and he took over full responsibility of the store.  He eventually also ran a portion of the store for catering weddings and other functions but his interest in harness racing soon captured his full attention.  He sold out and went full-time into the horse business with headquarters at the local fairgrounds.  

From the start Bill seemed to have a knack for hunting bargains at sales and his special talent soon started to pay dividends.  In 1966 he attended the annual Harrisburg sale and began to do his research.  He spotted an aged trotter named Silver Nib Lee and took an immediate interest in the grey gelding.  As he checked him out he found that the horse had many question marks about him plus had earned just $12 that year.  He soon decided that this fellow would probably not be a wise investment.  

Returning to the sales area he saw that most of his choices were well out of his price range.  Resigned to the fact that he would probably leave empty handed he decided to chart an alternate plan.  About then 'Silver' was led into the sales ring.  He decided to stay, more out of curiosity and to see how the bidding went.  An opening bid of $500 was soon received and then came an unusually long pause.  Bill looked around but saw no other willing bidders.  

He said $600 and that was all there was to it. Chappy's version said "That was an extra hundred that he will never forget."  

When this story was written in 1967 the racing season was not quite over and in 38 starts the grey son of Nibley had started 38 times and had a standing of 11-5-9 good enough for $18,254! Silver Nib Lee and his rather new driver were racing in rather select company. That was quite a bit of money back then, certainly a nice purchase.  

A quote from Chappy's article stated "Bill is a modest, quiet spoken man who is first to mention how much luck has played a hand in his success to this point." 

For many years following this time the name Bill Stirton became quite well known in Ontario racing circles and beyond.  He had a modest stable made up of those he owned either alone or in partnership,  and a number of steady performers owned by others.  Bill had good results from several horses he purchased at bargain prices at the Harrisburg sale.  He usually purchased them after their three-year-old seasons racing in Ohio or Pennsylvania sires stakes.  A short list would include the aforementioned Silver Nib Lee, Aunt Penny, Two Ticks and Aunt Thelma.  

The story of Aunt Penny (pictured below), a very successful trotting mare on the former O.J.C.  circuit,  was a Rewind subject a few years ago. 

Aunt Penny takes a slight bow in the Garden City winner's circle following one of her many victories in this 1972 photo.  Driver Bill Stirton and assistant trainer Tim Keeling accept congratulations from the presenting hostess. Owner Dr. John McKnight recalls that even though it was a three-hour trip home from Garden City it never seemed long when you had a winner. (Photo courtesy of McKnight family archives) 

A 1979 photo shows Bill Stirton with the consistent trotter Crystal Lens. 

Bill eventually left the racing business and followed other pursuits. He passed away quite a few years ago but he is still well remembered by the many people he met and competed with over the years.  

Quote For The Week: "Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses." Attributed to famous actress Elizabeth Taylor.  

Who Is It? 

When this picture was taken at Richelieu Park the horse was near the end of his very successful career and the driver, a mere 25,   was just starting his as a driver. Can you name them both? 

Who Else Is It?  "Strummin' on the old banjo" 

Here is a real oldie.  This Canadian gentleman was a very accomplished horseman and plied his trade at many Canadian and U.S. tracks for a very long time.  I'm not too sure about his talents as a musician but the horse he is pictured with seems to be enjoying the tune.  Can you identify this fine fellow?