In this week's 'Rewind' Robert Smith recalls the once popular Victoria Day race programs that were once held at various small towns across the land. These race days were often the first of the season and were a great way to kick off a new season.
In days past, the weekend on which the May Victoria Day Holiday was observed harness racing was held at many locations across the land. They invariably signalled the opening of the new racing season in most regions of the country. Certain towns year after year staged racing, and like many things it was an annual tradition that everyone looked forward to with great anticipation.
Shown below are a couple of old race programs from Victoria Day race days of yore.
At one time Collingwood held an early race meeting to launch the racing season in that section of the province. It was always very well attended by the many fans in the area and also many horse folks entered their horses, making for good fields and keen competition.
A notable memory for a man who went on to a long and successful career as a top non-driving trainer started at the Collingwood track back in 1964.
A young John Burns with his own J R Spencer in an early picture.
May 18, 1964 - In a special event for green trotters and pacers going a single heat for a $100 purse, saw the debut of a promising two-year-old pacer named J R Spencer. This youngster was the property of a 14-year-old local boy, John Burns, who broke and trained this son of True Spencer himself and was on hand to see his first start. With local veteran Russ Rentner in the bike, the colt toured the Collingwood track in 2:18 and earned $50 for his winning effort. Young Mr. Burns also received a cooler and a halter to begin what he hoped will be a long career in the sport.
J R Spencer was purchased as a yearling by John when he was just 13 from a local gentleman named Walter Seeley for a reported $250. The colt was pretty much a total "hometown product." Mr. Seeley owned the dam Village Queen and the U.S.-bred sire True Spencer was owned by Clarence Lockhart, so it was fitting that the new owner also had a Collingwood address. Based on his early showing the soon to turn 15-year-old Burns was reportedly offered $1,500 for the youngster but declined the offer. It was undoubtedly a wise decision.
Rodney, Ontario
The above program was from Rodney, Ont. a location that held Victoria Day races for many years. An interesting fact about this program is that it shows the date Monday, May 20th, but NO YEAR. After some time searching some old Year Books I found that it was from 1963, a mere 62 years ago.
The staging of a day of racing at a small town track such as Rodney was often a community affair. Service organizations such as The Kiwanis Club, Kinsmen and Rotary Clubs supplied the manpower to staff certain functions and in return earned revenue for their annual projects. It is also interesting to note that advertising space was sold to local businesses and individuals who had their ad displayed on the day's race program. It was a way of showing their support. The Rodney program pictured today contained no less than 107 such ads. Also on this occasion the Kiwanis Club put on a chicken barbecue following the races. Doesn't get too much better than that!!
Above is an old time view of the Rodney, Ontario track on race day. A field of horses passes a full grandstand and past the judge's stand. It existed for many years spanning two centuries but it, like most small town tracks across the land, was removed a number of years ago.
Here is a sampling of where Victoria Day racing was held and what happened way back in 1952. I have recreated this from old records.
Truro, N.S. - Ten heats of racing were held with each race offering a $200 purse. All races were contested at a half-mile distance. Some of the winning drivers were Frank Daniels, Scott Weeks, Wilfred Shea, Geo. Turner and Kirk Pinkney.
Edmonton, Alta. - Two full days of racing were held May 24 and May 26. A few winning drivers were Hamp Hoover, Vern Waddell, J.D. Sampson, James Findlay, Ralph Parker. Two double heat races went for a huge $700 purse.
Kingston, Ont. - Each race was for $250, going three heats. Herb Payne was the driving star taking all three heats behind Miss Chipso and a single victory with Gadabout F. Also hitting the winner's circle were drivers Bob Polk, W. Cook and Cecil Carleton.
Quebec City, P.Q. - Purses of $400 were offered and a sampling of drivers included Henri Portelance, Hilaire Barbeau, Henri Cantin, Alex Page and Louis Praught who won the featured Jr. Free For All with Star Boy.
Colborne, Ont. - A $120 purse for each two-heat race brought out a good showing of horses. Blacklock, a nine-year-old stallion by Bennett Volo was a double heat winner for owner Tom Fritz of Brighton and was handily driven by Burns McKane, no stranger in these parts. Other drivers "getting the job done" included Orval Fallis, Messrs. Brown, Cox, Howden and McMillan.
Petrolia, Ont. - A full card of races drew a large early season crowd who witnessed some fine racing. All eyes were on the up and coming Argyel Grattan, a double heat winner in the 20 class for owner driver Duncan Campbell. This horse went on to win a phenomenal 38 races this season. A number of well known area drivers had their mounts in midseason form as evidenced by wins from Charlie Chips (Neil McRann), Great Queen Jr. (Ellis Dell), Trigger Grattan (Lyle Bogart) and Argyel Lee, a three-year-old for the aforementioned Duncan Campbell. The Free For All was divided between Merry England (Wilbur Apthorpe) and Mac Dale, locally owned by Cecil Stone and capably piloted by Marshall Moore in 2:16 flat.
Wawanesa, Man. - A huge day of 12 heats saw several double heat winners. Tops in the driving category were Bob Silliphant and Jim Wiener who each piloted horses to three-heat victories. Other teamsters in the charmed circle included Dunc McAdam, Jim McGregor, Robt. Page and Jim Wallace. The Free For All went in the fastest time of the meeting with both heats in an identical 2:12 4/5. Highlawn Direct was the second heat winner at age 14, showing no signs of aging.
North Sydney, N.S. - Always a popular May 24th spot for Maritime fans and horse people alike. Two-heat races offered $200 in purse money. Jos. MacDonald was a three-time winner, Don Ratchford took two, Lorne Ratchford one, Jim Moffat two, and Michael Chiasson scored a single. All races were contested at a distance of half a mile with the quickest in 1:05 1/5 by Redwood Grattan (Moffat up).
Curran, Ont. - Racing in this far Eastern Ontario hamlet not far from the Quebec border featured four two-heat races with each carrying a purse of $50. A 10-year-old chestnut mare named Nell Grattan won the feature for local owner Roland Lavigne, who lists Curran as home. Her season's earnings later totalled up to $95 earned in 18 starts. Her clocking of 2:18 was best for the day.
Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask. - Race organizers divided up the purse money into $140 for each race which went two heats. The first was a 9/16 mile dash, the second at the mile distance. Some well-known horsemen entered the charmed circle including Norman Temple (four wins), Lloyd Teece, Lucien Cormier, Leo Malhoit and Frank Niebergall of Neudorf, Sask.
Spencerville, Ont. - Eight heats of racing highlighted the day with three double-heat winners and one split. Bob Grattan took the $150 Free For All for C.H. Baker of Iroquois, Ont. Other winners with owners shown were Lady J Stewart (Stan McQuaig), Laura Irene for Russ Hanna of Cardinal and the roan mare Quicksilver, owned and driven by Hillary Lawson of Harrison's Corners. Ormonde Star was a winner for Tom Smith of Renfrew.
The era of small town racing, or "matinee" racing as it is sometimes called, forms an important link in the history of Canadian harness racing. I have often spoken with people about these days including such accomplished trainers as the recently passed Bob McIntosh. Despite the stellar career he experienced on a much larger stage, it was evident that he treasured the memories of these days as he recalled attending many such old "gems" with his father Jack McIntosh.
Quote For The Week: "The true definition of a compromise occurs when two people agree to something that neither one wanted in the first place." - No idea of where I first heard that.
Who Is It?
Can you identify this gentleman? He served the sport of harness racing in a supporting role for many years all the way up to the top level after starting out at the small tracks.
Who Else Is It?
Can you identify these two gentlemen? The fellow on the left was a part of small town racing for decades in a supporting role which was very important to the success of these old race days. The man on the right who hailed from a very popular Ontario racing center was a well known driver at one time. Who are they?
Who Else Is It Trivia Question: What function did the fellow on the left perform at the old time race days?
Where Is It?
Can you identify the location of this old photo taken at a Maritime track that held Victoria Day racing every year for a very long time?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)
Blast From The Past
This old picture was displayed in an early Rewind column back in May of 2010 as an example of what an old time race day often looked like. At the time a couple of readers inquired as to where it was taken and if anyone knew the identity of any of those pictured. No one seemed to find anything or anyone familiar looking. Any ideas 15 years later? The original photograph did not include any information.