This week's Rewind takes on the familiar title of 'Picture Parade' and Robert Smith has searched the archives for a group of pictures, all with a central theme.
Some are as old as 50 years and all of them were taken to capture an award presentation of some description. These are not the customary trackside photos taken in the winner's circle, but rather at an awards banquet or similar type of gathering. Whether you're a "guesser" or a "looker", I hope you find them interesting. Good Luck with your choices.
Way back some 33 years ago in 1989, the O'Brien Awards were conceived and in 1990 the first group of recipients felt the thrill of holding one of these prestigious awards based on the 1989 season. Thankfully many of those folks are still with us; a goodly number are still actively involved, striving to add yet another trophy. The photos displayed today were all taken before the O'Brien awards era at various locations across Canada.
#1 - The first two photos were taken at the same event back in 1989. Can you identify these three folks?
#2 - Can you name these two lovely ladies? On the right is the presenter.
#3 - Tom Harrington on the left, local Agricultural Society president, makes a presentation at the annual banquet held at this town. Can you name the recipient who was a horseman?
#4 - Lou Effrat, writer for The New York Times on the far right, presents an award to a well-known horseman. Can you identify him?
#5 - Can you correctly identify all or part of the gentlemen in this photo? Who is that bearded fellow holding the framed photograph? (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
#6 - The man on the right is the presenter. Can you name them both? (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
#7 - Here we have the race secretary in the middle and the award recipients on each end. Name as many as you can. (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
#8 - The above gentleman is shown receiving a rather prestigious award in this 1970's photograph. Who can tell us who he is?
#9 - Can you identify the folks in this picture receiving a trophy for their horse who was HOY? The trainer is in the centre and the owner on the right. (Photo courtesy of the Standardbred magazine)
#10 - Who is the man in the middle of the front trio receiving an award? If you spot anyone else recognizable let us know. (National Library and archives of Quebec)
Bonus Photo - Can you identify these three fine looking fellows? A smiling trio.
Quote For The Week: "If you have no enemies, you are apt to be in the same predicament in regard to friends." From Elbert Hubbard, American writer and philosopher.
This week's pictures
The correct answers to this week's Picture Parade photos are shown below :
# 1 - Top dash winning driver Steve Skene is in the middle. On the left is Agnes Thompson (VP) and Don Adams (Pres.) of the Quinte Sulky Club.
# 2 - Debbie Mumford (left) top percentage trainer at Quinte Raceway 1988 receiving award from Shirley Weeks of the Quinte Sulky Club.
# 3 - Driver receiving award was Gary Payne, the leading driver at Woodstock Ont .
# 4 - Bud Gilmour and two of his daughters received the award.
# 5 - Gord Remmen (second from left with stylish beard ) ASHA past president. Smiling owners include Jim Rogers,Roy Blommaert and Ed Tracey (wearing a tie). Yes they were receiving an award earned by Herbert Dundee.
# 6 - Keith Clark left and Colin Forbes Asst. Mgr. Edmonton Exhibition. Goodbye Again best aged filly or mare the winner.
# 7 - Don Davidson (left) and Glen Hoerdt (right ) receive award from Ken Le Drew Stampede Park Race Sec. Cheetah Seelster was the honored horse.
# 8 - Norman Dauplaise is the trophy recipient.
# 9 - Bill Besterd (left) makes the presentation for HOY 1983 Armbro Venture at Western Fair to trainer Chris Nixon (centre) and owner Ken Nixon on the right.
# 10 - The man in the middle was Benoit Cote receiving an award. Mike MacCormack shown on the right, Guy Tardiff on the left. Thanks to Hector for identifying Raymond Benoit legendary announcer standing a bit further back.
The Bonus photo was Max Webster (centre). On the left is Gilles Lachance and Ron Feagan on the right receiving driver awards.
Thanks everybody for sending in your guesses and added comments and words of encouragement.
6.
Think that's owner Don Davidson on left of Ken LeDrew and Glen Hoerdt - likely an award for Cloverleaf PJ.
5.
Owner Jim Rogers, ASHA presenter Gord Remmen, trainer Roy Blommaert and driver Ed Tracey - likely an award won by Herbert Dundee in Alberta.
sc rewind
10. Michael Mac Cormac, former exec. at Blue Bonnets, on the right.
Rewind
Once again the wizard Gord Brown is on top of things . The only addition I make would be is # 10 , making the presentation to Benoit is Mike MacCormac and in the background is another member , the colourful bilingual race announcer at Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park ,for decades and decades , Raymond Benoit . In the Bonus Photo along with Ron Feagan , receiving a plaque is Gilles Lachance , the first Quebec born driver in Canada to win 200 races in one year and in the middle is Max Webster . Interestingly but nor surprisingly all of the afore mentioned luminaries are members of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame . I absolutely concur with Gord Brown when he says "thanks again Robert " ......your thought provoking articles about the past in harness horse racing are a special treat and remind all of us of the halcyon days of a sport we love and cherish !
Some pictures from out west.
#5 from left to right, Jim Rogers, Gord Remmen, Roy Blommaert and Ed Tracey
#6 Keith Clark and Colin Forbes
#7 Man in middle is Ken LeDrew and on right is Glen Hoerdt
picture 5
Looks like Roy Bloemart and Ed Tracey on the right (although I dont remember Ed ever wearing a tie). Probably an award for Herbert Dundee
Pictures
#6 Is Keith Clark and Collin Forbes
SC Rewind: Picture Parade
Picture #1 in the middle receiving the awards is Steve Skene. Steve always a top driver at KPR and currently is the starter at Kawartha Downs ...
#3 Gary Payne #4 Buddy…
#3 Gary Payne
#4 Buddy Gilmour
# 10 Ben Cote
1. Semi professional golfer…
1. Semi professional golfer Sterling Steve Skene, Jack Adams
3. Gary Payne
4. Bud Gilmour
5. Gord Remmen
6. Keith Clarke
8. Norman DuPlaise
10. Benoit Cote
11. Ron Feagan on the right.
Waiting for Double G to fill in the gaps. Thanks again Robert!