SC Rewind: Remembering Ray Gemmill

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls the long and colorful career of legendary horseman Ray Gemmill.  This gentleman passed away a few years ago but his memory continues to live on.  

Those folks of a certain age (present company included) can recall a time when many memorable people in our everyday lives were often referred to as characters.  To me it was truly a term of endearment and a wonderful way to be remembered.  It seems in today's fast paced world that their numbers have sadly decreased, and along with that the unique role that each individual played.

In chatting with a lifelong friend a few years ago about this very subject my comrade said,  "There are no characters around anymore, if there were any, people would probably want to lock them up." So true it is.  

Harness racing down through the years surely had its share of so-called characters,  and there have been many.  When I think of this subject I can think of no one who would better typify this undefined role than a gentleman named Ray Gemmill.  He was jolly, colourful and a storyteller deluxe.  While he may not have openly admitted it, I am sure he adhered to the number one rule in being a storyteller.  "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story."

I recall seeing a video clip from an interview years ago involving Ray and he said something like "Everybody has to come from somewhere and I'm from a little place called Cobden." Indeed he was and first saw the light of day on March 20, 1930 in this blessed place located some 80 or so miles north of Ottawa.  After listening to him utter just a few words,  you knew he was from The Valley.

After farming and working in construction in his early years,  Ray somehow got bit by the bug that leads people into harness racing.  His entry was somewhat less than glorious, but it eventually led him to where he wanted to be.  The story goes that around 1954 Ray was given a horse named Louie J. He tacked an old pair of shoes on and trained his new find over a rough track in the fields of his Cobden farm. When fair time came locally,  he promptly reeled off four straight wins.  

Also of interest regarding Ray's presence at his local town fair in Cobden,  it is important to recall the following excerpt from the 1974 Ontario Jockey Club Fact Book.  "During the 1959 Centennial fair meeting at Cobden, Gemmill won 10 of the 12 heats carded."

From that time on he began to dedicate his career to harness racing and in time began to operate a small public stable.  Probably anyone who knew Ray or had ever heard of him years ago associated the burly 200-lb. sulky sitter (a term used in an Ontario Jockey Club bio) with a horse named Innocent Bob. This homebred fellow who was described as "game but often infirm," served as the stable's mainstay for many years.  

In 1974 Ray made a major decision and it turned out well.  At that time Jim Keeling and Keith Waples had decided to start up a racetrack in B.C. and Gemmill was invited to move his operation west and join in the new venture called Cloverdale Raceway.  His theory was that anything Jim Keeling was involved with turned out well so why not join in.

When racing started in 1976 the new raceway's first race winning driver was Ray Gemmill. He drove a horse called Guy Dominion to victory for a rather unusual ownership group.  For that victory on New Year’s Day in 1976, Gemmill guided Guy Dominion, a horse owned by nine members of the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team.

Nine players from the 1975-76 Canucks NHL roster shared ownership of Guy Dominion, a move spearheaded by goaltender Gary “Suitcase” Smith, according to sports broadcaster Greg Douglas. His fellow investors were teammates Don Lever, John Grisdale, Chris Oddleifson, John Gould, Ron Sedlbauer, Gregg Boddy, Gerry O’Flaherty and Andre Boudrias.

A commemorative painting of Guy Dominion and driver Ray Gemmill as they won the first race ever held at BC's Cloverdale Raceway on New Years Day 1976

The initial victory at the brand new Cloverland track was accomplished under somewhat less than ideal conditions.   It was New Year's Day 1976 and the complex was not really ready for racing but the startup went on despite several uncompleted projects.  The concrete work under and around the grandstand was not in place, resulting in plenty of mud.  While the front of the stand was glassed in, the rear was covered in temporary sheets of plywood.  In spite of the conditions a huge crowd showed up to help launch the new venture.

As it turned out,  Ray stayed for the long haul becoming a permanent fixture at the Cloverdale track. In 2014 he retired from training horses, closing a six-decade career in the sport and business he so dearly loved.  He remained and still enjoyed being involved, always ready to tell a story or entertain someone with his folksy humor.  

Gord Waples, who spent a considerable amount of time in Ray's company down through the years, had the following to say about him in a recent conversation.

Ray Gemmill in a 2019 photo taken during a visit by Gord & Denise Waples (courtesy of Gord Waples)

"Ray began his career operating heavy equipment in the bush for Hector Clouthier, Sr.  Hec Jr. told me his dad was fond of saying Ray was as strong as the bulldozer and could drive any kind of equipment. Ray developed a passion for horses, forging a close friendship with my dad and in turn played a key role in building Orangeville Raceway. After it was sold, he headed west to help construct Cloverdale Raceway. He spent some time training horses before becoming a well-known feed supplier for many years. A strong, no-nonsense man with a heart of gold, he never hesitated to help those in need. About a month before he passed, my wife Denise and I visited him in Vancouver. It was a wonderful, memorable trip — he was doing well."

Ray Gemmill (right) chats with legendary horseman Herve Filion during a visit to Cloverdale Raceway

Ray in later years during an interview at the Cloverdale track with a local sportscaster

In an interview a few years ago, one of Ray's daughters, Tracey Fresneda, said about her father: “My dad was a real character – a mix of Johnny Cash, John Wayne and a big teddy bear, that was my dad.

“He trained many successful horses (like Winning Cheers) over the years and also ran an on-track feed business for 25 years. Of late, he could be seen around Cloverdale on his scooter making his way to the backstretch to play cards with the boys. He had a long, colourful life and enjoyed entertaining at any opportunity.”

Ray Gemmill in 2013 with his BC Harness Racing Hall of Fame plaque. (Submitted photo)

A statement issued at the time of Ray's passing said "Gemmill, a larger-than-life trainer and driver, died July 31, 2019 at Surrey Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was 89."

Quote For The Week:  "Live your life and forget your age."

Who Is It?  

Can you put a name on these two people in a rather old and not real clear photo?  This was taken at the Shawville, Quebec races many years ago.  These fellows are both natives of the beloved Ottawa Valley.  Both gentlemen have left us fairly recently.

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify this young fellow in a photo taken back in the early 1970's?  Let us know if he somehow looks familiar.

(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)