In this week's Rewind Robert Smith tells of the second of two extremely unique and similar happenings in the history of Canadian harness racing not likely to be found in any record books
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In last week's Rewind I recounted the story of three generations of the Tolhurst family competing on the same card of racing in 1937 at Tillsonburg. The next such event that I am going to discuss this week happened some 35 years later at yet another small town Ontario track.
The second and more recent occurrence was in 1972 and happened at the Parkhill, Ont. track. Although no birthplace of Canadian racing is officially recognized this little Middlesex County hamlet once known as Westwood has often been referred to as "the cradle of the trotter" much like Goshen, New York is in the U.S. A great deal of its racing history is traced to the great Grattan family of horses that sprang up from here nearly a hundred years ago. In addition it has produced some pretty good human competitors in the sport as well. The Parkhill track no longer exists, having given its space to an arena expansion a few years ago.
On the afternoon of September 22, 1972 a modest crowd of onlookers gathered at the Parkhill fairgrounds to witness an annual tradition, a few heats of harness racing. This year a special treat was in store as several members of the noted local Campbell family of Ailsa Craig were carded to drive; as a matter of fact there were four in total representing three generations. The patriarch Duncan was 72, his sons Ray 45 and Jack 41. Rounding out the contingent was the family's newest sulky sitter, Jack's son John who was quite new to driving and just 17 years of age. To say that he come a long way since that day might be a bit of an understatement. Although not a part of the official records of the day a few more Campbells were on the sidelines to cheer their "sons" down the stretch.
Although the success of the Campbell's racing ventures often took them to far off places, it was somewhat of a tradition that one or more of the "clan" would be home to support the local annual racing show. The 1972 affair was not large by any standard and attracted only 13 starters in total. The entrants were sent away in two races, each consisting of two heats thus making a four race card. The total purse money up for grabs was a meager $450.
The first race was the feature by virtue of its special entrants and carried a purse of just $200. Seven horses faced the starter with Duncan Campbell driving Argyel Flip, his son Jack piloting Kitty R Frost - the property of Ralph Mackey of Parkhill - and young John was up behind Argyel Flash, another family owned steed. Yes, three generations of drivers in one race! All the Campbell horses were three-year-olds.
When the two heat affair was over it was Jack home first in both trips with the roan mare Kitty R Frost while Duncan finished the day 5-5 and grandson John was 7-4. In the second race Ray Campbell drove Direct Liz to a win and a second sharing the winner's circle with another local driver Will Cadman behind Fred Sadler's Rompin Ronda. It was a proud and productive day for the Campbell's maroon and white colours and one for the record books. Sometimes the truly important things occur in the most humble of places.
If only the current practice of paying drivers a 5 per cent portion of their mount's winnings had been in effect back then, just think of the payday that would have resulted. For Jack's two winning drives he would get $5, while Duncan would have received 70 cents and John's payout a nifty 50 cents! This day was obviously not about money.
The Campbell name then as it is now is synonymous with the grass roots of Canadian harness racing. Duncan began his career back in 1923 and continued his keen interest until his passing at the age of 92. When interviewed on this day by a London Free Press reporter he spoke in the same nonchalant manner as always saying, " I don't drive very much any more; the boys do most of it now. ..". The article also credited the senior Mr. Campbell with helping The Parkhill Turf Club in reviving the sport in the years following WW II.
It has been my pleasure to get to know the Campbells and I have enjoyed hearing first hand about this special day and many more from multiple generations. As a family, the Campbell's have recorded a lot of memorable and productive moments in the sport but above what is etched in record books is the fact they have done everything with modesty and class. That just happens to be their way. Those attributes rate highest in my book.
Most of racing out of necessity is about money, speed and a lot of other highly competitive elements, but it also has a "softer and gentler " nature. Thanks to folks like the Tolhursts and the Campbells who put on shows such as these, we get to see another side. They exemplify the dedication, endurance and long term commitment that has kept the sport alive and well over the centuries.