The Bill Galvin Racing Alliance (BGRA) has announced that prominent Standardbred breeder and owner Tom Rankin is once again supporting its Youth Contests in 2025.
Like last year, the BGRA is offering two exciting contests. The Youth Literary Derby is open to Ontario elementary students (Grades 3-8), who can submit a poem or short story about anything related to Standardbred racing. Entries will be judged in junior (Grades 3-5) and intermediate (Grades 6-8) divisions. The Youth Art Derby is open to Ontario students (Grades 3-12). Participants can submit
drawings or sketches with a Standardbred theme, with categories for junior, intermediate and a senior division (Grades 9-12).
Thanks to Tom Rankin’s generous support, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in each division. The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 31 at midnight.
For the past two years, Rankin not only sponsored the contests but also welcomed hundreds of visitors to an Open House at his Standardbred breeding farm in St. Catharines, Ont., where attendees met the broodmares and foals — an experience that inspired many contest participants!
“We’re incredibly grateful to Tom for sponsoring these contests again and for his dedication to youth involvement in Standardbred racing,” said Karen Hauver, BGRA director.
"I'm thrilled to support the BGRA Youth Contests again this year,” said Rankin. “Encouraging young people to engage with Standardbred racing — whether through art, writing or hands-on experiences — helps foster a lifelong appreciation for these incredible horses. It’s been wonderful to witness the passion and creativity that past participants have brought to these contests, and I’m also looking forward to welcoming the community back to our farm for another Open House. It's a privilege to be part of something that connects the next generation to the world of horse racing in such a meaningful way."
Contest finalists aged 13 and up will receive complimentary access to Equine Guelph’s Youth Horse Behaviour and Safety online course.
If you are an educator or youth group leader and would like more details or promotional materials, email [email protected]. Full contest details and rules are available on the BGRA website at bgracingalliance.ca.
(Bill Galvin Racing Alliance; photo of last year's contest finalists in the Woodbine Mohawk Park winner's circle on BGRA Awards Night)