In this week's edition of Rewind Robert Smith recalls the very long and successful career of well known horseman Patrick Joseph "Pat" Crowe who recently passed away at the age of 87.
Cam Fella and his trainer driver Pat Crowe
Followers of harness racing recently lost one of the sport's longest serving members with the passing of Pat Crowe on March 27, 2025. He was 87 and had spent the major part of his life around the sport and business he loved so dearly. At the tender age of just 12, Pat started his dedication to harness racing by assisting his father Clarence in the building of a racetrack on family owned property.
The track venture was at Crowe's birth area in Simcoe County north of Barrie at a small place called Orr Lake. The track was a family affair and quite a venture for the senior Crowe who had dabbled in other business ventures such as running a dance hall. In 1949 the dream of creating a racetrack on a farm field became a reality. It was quite a happening.
In 1949 two race meetings were held at the newly created Orr Lake track. It became a popular spot for a number of years and was one of many stops as small venues hosted harness racing across this area in north central Ontario.
The racetrack at Orr Lake built by Clarence Crowe opened in 1949 and attracted many fans and horse people travelled quite a distance to compete. The scene above shows the start of a race using the mobile starting gate which was just making its introduction in harness racing at this time
Also at about that time the very young Mr. Crowe secured his first job grooming horses for Jack Waples, Keith's father. It was perhaps his official entry into the world of harness racing beyond his family. In later years Pat also worked in the Keith Waples stable, back in the Montreal days when both Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park were very popular spots. When Pat went on his own it was not unusual for Keith to call on him to drive in his absence on occasion, knowing that he had learned his lessons well.
His drive and determination combined with an immense talent in his chosen profession would lead him on a long career. While he will forever be remembered for his two years of racing Cam Fella, affectionately known as "The Pacing Machine", he also covered a lot of ground with a multitude of other horses during his many years in the sport.
Early in his life Pat had to overcome extreme adversity when a disastrous auto accident nearly left him crippled. In 1957 at age 20 he and a close personal friend, Jack Tipping, were travelling on Highway 401 in Eastern Ontario when their car struck a transport truck. Pat was sleeping at the time and his friend was killed in the collision. Pat sustained serious leg and ankle injuries and was told at a Cornwall, Ont. hospital that he would never walk again.
At this young age he was not about to accept this devastating diagnosis. Armed with a strong will to recover he spent over two years in rehab and beat all odds when he completely recovered. It was said that much of his miraculous recovery was achieved because of his strong will to beat the odds. While the injury left some residual aggravation he was able to live a normal life.
In 1963 the Ontario Jockey Club built its first new track at Campbellville, Ont. and named it Mohawk Raceway. The following is an excerpt from a Rewind column published in 2019 recalling that time in history.
"On the evening of Friday April 26, 1963 a reported 4,338 fans flocked to the opening of Mohawk Raceway. A nine-race card greeted them and when the pacer David Hal B and driver Pat Crowe crossed the finish wire a winner in the first race in 2:09.1, yet another milestone in Canadian harness racing entered the books. The purses on opening night ranged from a low of $500 to a high of $1,400 for the featured sixth race which was won by Adios Dominion driven by Ken Galbraith."
In May of 2013 when Mohawk observed its 50th anniversary Pat Crowe was in a reminiscent mood as he recalled the start up of Mohawk. “I remember the race very well,” admitted Crowe, who, at the time, was 25 years of age. “He (David Hal B) was just a cheap horse, but he got the job done that day. It’s pretty amazing how things have changed since then.”
Some 20 years after this happened, Pat scored the first win at the then new Canterbury Downs in Minnesota. It was a repeat of history.
While many of Pat's most memorable moments involved his successes with Cam Fella he also enjoyed some other notable achievements in the sulky. One such event occurred in December of 1984 at Kingston, Ontario. The following excerpt recalls that record setting day.
"Sunday, December 30, 1984 turned out to be a pretty good day for 47-year-old horseman Pat Crowe, originally from Orr Lake, Ont. He made the best of his rather lengthy trip to Eastern Ontario to compete at Kingston Park. At the end of the 11-race program Crowe counted eight winning drives. This performance equalled the current North American record and obviously set a new personal record as well as setting a new high at Kingston Park. A crowd of 856 fans bet a total of $87,922 as they watched a masterful performance by Mr. Crowe."
While Pat Crowe maintained a fairly large public stable for many years he also found time to do some catch driving when the opportunity presented itself. One such notable instance was in 1970 when he got the call to drive an outstanding three-year-old pacer named High Ideal. Most often driven by either Keith or Ronnie Waples, Pat got the call when they were not available.
This colt was Canadian owned by Wm. Ellerington of Exeter and trained by noted colt expert Russel Miller of Dutton Ont., a man described by Pat as "the best ever trainer in the business." During this season he was asked to drive this son of Bret Hanover on five occasions and returned to the winner's circle on every try!
A happy gathering following a win by High Ideal in the Geers Stake at Wolverine Raceway in Detroit. In the upper photo trainer Russell Miller is on the far left next to driver Pat Crowe with owner Wm. Ellerington holding the winner's trophy
In 1982 and 1983 Pat experienced what few if any people in the world of harness racing ever realize. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. He took over the training and driving duties of one of the truly all time greats in the entire world of harness racing, Cam Fella. Purchased by Norm Clements and Norm Faulkner following his two-year-old campaign from Doug Arthur he was placed in the hands of a then 45-year-old Pat Crowe. From here he went on to achieve greatness and rewrote many records. His fan following was one of the greatest ever.
What that duo accomplished in just two seasons of racing was truly amazing. They put together a magnificent record of 58 victories, six seconds and two thirds in 69 starts during the final two years of his career. He closed out a brilliant career on the crest of 28 consecutive victories. "The Pacing Machine" retired the richest pacer of all time with earnings of $2,041,367.
Roosevelt Raceway President William B. Hopkins (right) presents driver Pat Crowe with a silver bowl in honour of Cam Fella setting a new world record for consecutive victories (25) in one season. Greg Coleman is at the far left and co-owner Norm Clements is next to Pat.
They travelled across both Canada and the U.S. winning race after race against the absolute best talent that then existed. They raced over all sizes of tracks and faced a shipping and training schedule that was extremely difficult. Through it all they prevailed and thrilled fans wherever the schedule demanded.
Cam Fella, 1982 Horse of the Year, and driver Pat Crowe as depicted by the talented artist Philip Berkeley in a realistic painting. This horse was U.S. Horse Of The Year in both 1982 and 1983.
I think that most observers would agree that Pat did a great job and helped to author one of the great and enduring stories of the 20th century of harness racing. Cam Fella's exploits became legendary. He became the first horse to ever capture both the Canadian and the U.S. "Horse of the Year" awards in consecutive years.
Some 40 plus years have passed since the two great seasons authored by Cam Fella and Pat Crowe and I don't believe too many, if any, have come close to the unforgettable show they put on back in 1982 and 1983. Farewell to Pat Crowe and thanks for so many memories.
Pat Crowe Picture Gallery
Cam Fella makes one of many trips to the winner's enclosure during the 1983 season, this one at Greenwood on Canadian Pacing Derby Day. From left: driver Pat Crowe, Cam Fella, caretakers Peter Houck and Doug Marshall while Rod Seiling (second from right) presents owners Norm Clements (third from right) and Norm Faulkner (far right) with yet another trophy compliments of Racetracks of Canada. Photo by Steve Tombosso.
Wm. Rowe left greets driver Pat Crowe trackside at Windsor Raceway where he raced for many years including the 1965 season when the track opened.
Cam Fella with (left to right) Norm Clements, Pat Crowe and Norm Faulkner. The two Norms were co-owners.
Quote For The Week: "Sharing tales of those we've lost is how we keep from really losing them." - From Mitch Albom, radio host and noted author of inspirational books
Who Is It?
Can you identify this fellow and his very famous equine partner?
Who Else is it?
Can you identify the two gentlemen on either side of the horse in this photograph? If you recognize the horse, include that name too.
The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.
Happy Easter To Everyone! This year with a relatively late observance of Easter Sunday, we are supposed to have a late spring according to folklore. So far that old wisdom seems to be true.
The observance of Easter is a wonderful way to start a new season. Experiencing the rebirth of everything living is a miracle in itself. To see buds emerge from previously dormant trees and shrubs is inspirational. The warmth of the sun and the greening of the landscape gives new hope once again. The birth of farm animals is always a special occurrence. I love to drive across the countryside and see the spring planting; it brings back special memories. Hopefully that will be soon.
Because of foaling taking place around Easter I suspect that a number of horses were named based on being born either on Easter Sunday or at a time close to it. I can recall such names as Easter Sunday Bars, Easter Sonnet, Easter Goose, Easter Royal, Easter Parade, Easter Rose, Easter Dawn, Easter Majesty...and the list could go on forever.
Note: Back in 1969 O.J.C. publicity man Bill Galvin organized the Easter Sonnet Poetry Contest. Almost 500 poems were written about Easter Sonnet and many people visited Jimmy Holmes' barn to visit the real Easter Sonnet.
I hope everyone enjoys their Easter season and many will observe it by gathering with loved ones to savour the many foods associated with this time of year.