SC Rewind: Awards Night - 1974

Today's Rewind is in keeping with this weekend's activities as we celebrate the O'Brien Awards honouring last year's stars. Robert's story takes readers back to early 1975 when that year's festivities recognized the best of "The Class of 1974" on the Ontario Jockey Club Circuit. His piece lists many of the leaders by age and category and also displays a few related pictures taken on the evening the awards were handed out. The now-prestigious O'Brien awards were well down the road but the honours back then were still extremely meaningful.

Horseman of the Year for 1975, Wm. Wellwood on the right accepts his award from Toronto sports personality Fergie Olver (Hoof Beats)

Close to 45 years have passed since the season of 1974 and our sport has seen many changes, but the practice of honouring the season's best competitors, both human and equine was just as important back then as it is now. The price of tickets, the mode of dress and the pomp and circumstance has changed over the years but it is always a worthwhile exercise to recall times past.

When the trophies were handed out for the 1974 season the number of awards was considerably less than we see today. For starters, winners were chosen by age and gait but not gender, thus cutting down the overall totals. The selections back then were made based on a poll conducted by the OJC's Harness Racing Division of members of the press, radio and television who worked the circuit and also of racing officials. The only condition for nomination was that horses named must have started at least three times during the current season on the Golden Horseshoe circuit which of course meant Greenwood, Mohawk and Garden City.

Bill Wellwood named the O.J.C. horseman of the year is joined by his wife Jean as they accept the award garnered by their great three year old trotter Surge Hanover. Doing the presenting is Bill Galvin on behalf of the O.J.C. They also received a division winning trophy for their two-year-old pacer Dar Hanover. (Michael Burns)

Perhaps the top 'people' honor belonged to Wm. Wellwood who was named the 1974 O.J.C. Horseman of the Year. The then-34-year-old Wellwood was voted the Circuit's outstanding horseman for the fourth time since he won his first award back in 1969. The past two years the votes had gone to Ron Feagan who along with Bill Megens and Ron Waples was among this year's nominees. Unlike the top drivers of today Bill developed most of his own stable stars and also owned or shared ownership of many; it was a very different era.

Wellwood started his career in harness racing back in 1957 when he joined the stable of his uncle Harold Wellwood a top trainer and driver of the day. He started out as a groom and soon learned the trade. Despite never working with horses nor growing up in a horse environment, he quickly scaled the ladder. In the fall of 1959 a then 19-year-old Bill drove in his maiden race at Buffalo Raceway and won his first ever start behind a great mare named Royal Aileen, owned by Harold.

From this point on he showed what a wealth of talent he possessed and that combined with a very strong work ethic he continued to learn and follow the lead of his mentor and Uncle. He remained with the stable as the two shared the driving duties until 1966 when he started up his own public stable. From a humble beginning and just three horses under his care, he moved ahead quickly but cautiously. By 1974, he had purchased and developed a number of top performers that allowed him to win this year's honour.

Through the efforts of such horses as Surge Hanover, Keystone Gary, Dar Hanover and Paula's Peanut he showed earnings in excess of $415,000 with 133 races won going into the final week of racing at Greenwood. For the second year in a row Surge Hanover with earnings of $110,000 took down the top honor for his division, having won it as a two-year-old as well. The pinnacle of his season occurred when he won the prestigious Dexter Cup. In addition to his money winnings he also toured the Vernon Downs oval in a remarkable 1:59.4, quite a feat in those days. Also winning a season championship was Dar Hanover, a two-year-old son of Tar Heel who won $60,000 and took a mark of 2:00.4 at Blue Bonnets.

Horse of the year honours went to the great four-year-old pacer Armbro Nesbit, owned by Duncan MacDonald of Sydney N.S. and trained and driven by none other than Joe O'Brien a fellow Maritimer and the man for whom the current day awards are named. Bred by the Armstrong Brothers of Brampton this speedster was a consistent winner throughout the season as he campaigned on a Continent-wide basis, winning over half of his 32 starts. In addition to Horse of the Year award he also received the top prize for aged pacer category.

Barbara Waples, editor and publisher of The Standardbred, makes the presentation for Horse of the Year to Dr. Glen Brown on behalf of Armbro Nesbit's owner Duncan MacDonald and driver Joe O'Brien who were unable to attend. (Michael Burns)

Other awards went to the following performers and their owners and handlers.

Bill and Antoinette Megens receive a well-deserved award won by their outstanding two-year-old trotter Snegem Flight. The presenter on the far left is Cliff Chapman.

The connections of Colonial Charm, named the aged trotter of the season, accept their award from track announcer Jack Stephens. In the centre is Glen Garnsey and on the right is caretaker Steve Waller, both of whom who made the trip up north from their Pompano training centre (Hoof Beats)

Veteran horseman Keith Waples received a special Bulova award in recognition of 40 years in Canadian harness racing and was presented with a handsome Accutron timepiece by Jim Lampman, Director of Publicity for the Golden Horseshoe Circuit.

Summary of Award Winners For The 1974 Season - Ontario Jockey Club

Horseman of the Year - William Wellwood

Harness Horse of the Year - Armbro Nesbit, owned by Duncan MacDonald, Sydney, N.S.

Two-Year-Old Trotter - Snegem Flight, owned by Bill and Antoinette Megens, Jerseyville, Ont.

Two-Year-Old Pacer - Dar Hanover, owned by Wm. & Jean Wellwood, Mississauga, Ont.

Three-Year-Old Pacer - Barons Boy, owned by Sagbec Stable, Quebec City

Three-Year-Old Trotter - Surge Hanover, owned by Wm. & Jean Wellwood, Mississauga Ont.; Walter & Joanne Musty, Colden, N.Y.

Aged Trotter (Four year olds & up) - Colonial Charm, owned by Castleton Farm, Lexington, Ky.

Aged Pacer - Armbro Nesbit, owned by Duncan MacDonald, Sydney, N.S

Who Is This?

Can you put a name on this well-known personality from days gone by? The correct answer will be shown during the upcoming week.