The Halton Hills Sports Museum and Resource Centre announced on Tuesday, April 29 that esteemed Canadian harness racing driver Trevor Ritchie will be inducted into the Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Ritchie established himself as a clutch performer when he drove 30-1 shot Quite A Sensation to victory in the North America Cup in 1986. A Canadian-sired horse had never won the Hambletonian until Ritchie drove Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Yankee Paco to victory in the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown in 2000. That same year, he tied a record with three Breeders Crown wins in one night. Not surprisingly, Ritchie received the O'Brien Award as Canada's Driver of the Year, a national honour he received previously from the Canadian Trotting Association in 1987.
An Acton, Ont. resident throughout much of his career, Ritchie’s highlights included winning many of North America’s biggest races. He won the Meadowlands Pace with Frugal Gourmet, Canadian Pacing Derby with Ready To Rumble, Canadian Trotting Classic with Majestic Son, three Maple Leaf Trots, including one with Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame filly Peaceful Way, and seven Breeders Crowns.
Ritchie retired from driving at the age of 58 in 2014 with 3,710 wins and more than $70 million in purse earnings, and was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2019.
Ritchie will be joined by four other athletes comprising the Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, including Neil Cotton (hockey), Bob Donker (cross-country/track), Jan Popiel (hockey) and Daryl Veltman (lacrosse).
The Class of 2025 will be honoured at the induction ceremony on Wednesday, June 4 at the John Elliott Theatre in Georgetown, Ont. Q107 morning show host Ryan Parker will be the emcee, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland will be the guest speaker and the event will be catered by Brady Davies. Tickets are available for purchase at the John Elliott Theatre box office.
The Halton Hills Sports Museum and Resource Centre is a non-profit organization established in 2007. The Halton Hills Sports Museum is committed to preserving the history of sports in our community, honouring excellence and fostering connections between the generations of individuals who participate in, develop and contribute to athletics in Halton Hills. Its goal is to uphold the legacy of local athletes and contributors, inspire future generations and celebrate the distinct sports heritage of Halton Hills.
(With files from Halton Hills Sports Hall of Fame)