SC Rewind: Years Ago - 1980s

This week's Rewind Robert Smith offers the monthly feature called 'Years Ago'.  This time all of his short stories and old photos are based in the decade of the 1980's, thus about 40 - 45 years ago.  

1980 - Noted Trotter Finds New Occupation 

The above picture shows the once well known and highly successful trotter FRED FROST in "retirement".  What horses do once their racing careers are over covers a wide range of activities.  Fred Frost raced for many years on the OJC Circuit and was handled by Bert Madill and, in later years, Wm. Wellwood and probably others.  I recall being in attendance at the old Garden City track and joining in the winner's circle photo when Wm. Wellwood raced this horse who was then co-owned by Dr. Blackwood of Woodstock, Ont. and later his son Jay. 

The following caption accompanied this photo that appeared in the May 7, 1980 edition of The London Free Press.

"Gord Bell of RR3 Melbourne, is ready for the farm energy crisis with a money winning racehorse as a plowmate. Fred Frost, his 14 year old standardbred, won $127,000 at the track before being retired to the garden." [LFP Photo]

1981 - First Hambo Held At Meadowlands 

In 1981 an entirely new era for the fabled Hambletonian began.  After being held at a number of much smaller venues the Hambo found a new home at The Meadowlands racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After many years of a sort of laid back atmosphere in a rural Illinois setting at DuQuoin,  the big race went big time. It was the 56th edition of this famous race that started way back in 1926.  A Canadian-born horseman, Nat Ray was the inaugural winner driving Guy McKinney. 

In its initial appearance at The Meadowlands the weatherman was most uncooperative but the show went on.  After four gruelling races, including eliminations and the final,  a Canadian boy prevailed as the winning driver on that memorable day.  Ray Remmen, a native of Hanley, Saskatchewan, had travelled a long way; both figuratively and literally.  He drove a gelding named Shiaway St Pat to victory lane.  Oddly, the then 34-year-old horseman had never seen a Hambletonian before.  This day provided a pretty memorable first trip. 

It's a bit hard to believe but Hambletonian organizers are now working on celebration plans for the Hambo's 100th anniversary which will be observed next year. A lot of history! 

Canadian born driver Ray Remmen hoists the Hambletonian trophy after his long day of work driving Shiaway St Pat to victory.  (Hambletonian Society archives)

Three-year-old Shiaway St Pat (2, Ray Remmen) edges Super Juan (1, Howard Beissinger) to win the 1981 Hambletonian.  This was Remmen's first and only Hambo victory and the first time the race was held at The Meadowlands. (Hambletonian Society archives)

1984 - Goudreau Memorial To La Habra Almahurst At Windsor 

In 1982 young horseman Shelly Goudreau lost his life in a racing accident in California.  It was a huge shock to everyone who knew him and certainly for his family.  Despite being only 34 years of age he had already carved out a Hall of Fame worthy career.  For quite a time following his passing, memorial races were held at both Dresden, his home area,  and also at Windsor where he spent much of his early career.  In the U.S. he was remembered by an annual race at The Meadowlands and at Los Alamitos in California. 

On June 3, 1984 The Shelly Goudreau Memorial Race was held at Windsor Raceway. The winner of that race was La Habra Almahurst, driven as part of an entry by Terry Kerr and owned by Boyce Stables of London.  The race drew five two-year-olds that included Snipper, the other half of the Dave Wall entry. In just his second lifetime start, the winning colt set a new Canadian season record when he stopped the timer in 1:59.4.  This youngster was sired by Super Wave,  a standout for Dr. Boyce in his racing days. 

I personally had the opportunity to see this fine young fellow as he developed into a top horseman under his father Fred's tutelage. It is a bit difficult to believe that if he were still here he would be turning 76 this year. It seems, at least to me,  that when someone passes away at a young age we continue to think of them as being at that age. 

1989 - Montreal Horseman Honoured 

The two big Montreal tracks, Blue Bonnets and Richelieu Park,  have seen a lot of great drivers over the years. In October of 1988 Blue Bonnets officials held a special trackside ceremony to honour Jacques Hebert,  one of their finest.  This gentleman started out by working with his father Joseph and his uncle Cyprien at Trois Rivières, Que., and launched his driving career in 1958 when he obtained his driver’s license at age 15. Based in Montreal since his twenties, the Drummondville native had driven over 100 winners each year since 1971. 

An excerpt from his biography in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame reads as follows: "Jacques Hebert’s career in harness racing embodies class, integrity, longevity and remarkable consistency. He was deemed by his peers as the 'consummate horseman.'" 

Quote For The Week: "To be a trophy wife, you have to be a trophy. I am more of a commemorative plaque." - Quote from Comedian Ali Wong 

Who Is It?  

Can you identify this gentleman in a photo from about 50 years ago?  

 Who Else Is It?

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Can you identify this smiling gentleman?  He passed away a very long time ago but I'll bet a lot of viewers will remember him.