On Wednesday, April 23, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2014 inductees during a press conference at Canadian Tire’s head office at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto, Ont.
Earlier this year, Cam Fella, also known as ‘The Pacing Machine,’ had been submitted to the hall’s nomination committee by Standardbred Canada for inclusion to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
The hall’s nomination committee did not select Cam Fella to be inducted to the hall this year. Although ‘Cam’ was not inducted to the hall this year, his nomination is kept by the hall for three (3) years, and will be submitted to the Selection Committee in the following two (2) years.
The list of 2014 inductees to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame appears below.
• Tim Frick – Builder (Wheelchair Basketball)
• Kathy Shields – Builder (Basketball)
• Horst Bulau – Athlete (Ski Jumping)
• Pierre Harvey – Athlete (Cross Country Skiing)
• Gareth Rees – Athlete (Rugby)
• Geraldine Heaney – Athlete (Ice Hockey)
• Elizabeth Manley – Athlete (Figure Skating)
• Sarah Burke – Athlete (Freestyle Skiing)
Only two horses – Big Ben and Northern Dancer – have been inducted into the sports hall, and no horse has had a bigger impact on Canadian Standardbred racing than Cam Fella.
Cam Fella has been an icon in North American harness racing, having more accomplishments than any other horse in the sport. His durability, determination, and most importantly, his heart drove Cam Fella to be the champion he was and will always be remembered for.
His career on the racetrack spanned three years – 1982 – 1984. His heart and fortitude made him the champion racehorse he was – a crowd pleaser and fan favourite from the east coast to the west coast and no horse has matched Cam Fella’s popularity.
He did more than any horse to focus public attention on harness racing during the 1980s, challenging all comers at tracks across North America. He had legions of fans, his own Fan Club and many fans formed an entourage that traveled to wherever Cam Fella raced.
His exploits became legendary. His race record featured 28 consecutive victories, and earnings of over $2 million, which at the time made him the richest pacer in history.
He then retired from racing to the breeding shed and his indelible mark as a Standardbred sire changed the course of the pacing breed forever.
To read more, view photos, and watch video of Cam Fella, click here.
To read a feature on Cam Fella from the February issue of Trot Magazine, click one of the following links: It's About Time -- Il est à peu près temps.
I disagree, Jim. Cam Fella
I disagree, Jim. Cam Fella was probably one of the greatest race horses of all time both on and off the track. As a prolific sire, he also revolutionized the Standardbred breed as Adios and Meadow Skipper did before him. Northern Dancer did this for the Thoroughbreds as well. Clearly, he deserves to be in the Sports Hall of Fame.
Why does it matter that he be
Why does it matter that he be included in a group of mostly unrecognizable names. They are all niche sports as is harness racing so as long as he is recognized by his peers then that is all that really matters.