The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame welcomed in eight inductees during tonight's ceremony at the Mississauga Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
The class of 2008 features standardbred horses Peaceful Way, the Queen of trotting, and pacing superstar and stallion Real Desire. This year's class also features two of Sam-Son Farms' brilliant thoroughbred performers of the 1990s, Smart Strike and Wilderness Song.
The people inductees include multiple Sovereign Award winning trainer Robert P. (Bob) Tiller, Louis E. Cauz, Managing Director of the Hall of Fame and Woodbine Entertainment's Archivist and Historian, Quebec-based breeder Pierre Levesque and the late Cliff Chapman, former publisher of The Canadian Sportsman. The newest inductees were elected by the respective 20-person thoroughbred and standardbred Election Committees.
One of the many highlights of the evening was a very emotional speech delivered by Lou Cauz, the Managing Director of the Hall of Fame and Woodbine Entertainment's Archivist and Historian.
"If my lips begin to tremble it's only because I'm so honoured," said Cauz. "I never sought this honour, but when I heard I was elected I was in tears. When I was told the news I was sobbing. I had been romanced by this sport for a long time.
Here are some of the heartfelt words offered in the speeches made by, or on behalf of, tonight's inductees:
The family of the late Cliff Chapman Jr.
"Wouldn't our dad have been thrilled to share this evening with such wonderful nominees. To be here today to accept this illustrious honour would have been the proudest moment of his illustrious career. Tonight I am sure he is in this room with us."
Pierre Levesque
"Thanks to those that made this nomination possible. I thank Armstrong Bros. for helping me when I started out, as well as the late Jim Proudfoot for introducing me to Clint Hodgins. It's an honour. Horses keep me alive. I still break a few colts, just for the fun of it."
Dr. Cal Stiller on behalf of the owners of Peaceful Way
"We want to congratulate the other nominees. It's an extraordinary evening and we don't do this enough in this industry. We had to let Peaceful Way display her God-given talent. When she was healthy, she had unequaled speed and could overcome seemingly insurmountable leads. I'd also like to acknowledge the contributions of trainer Dave Tingley, caretaker Isabelle Guignard, who cared for her every need, and the drivers of Peaceful Way. We doubt we'll see the likes of her again, and we dream that we might catch lightning in a bottle again with her first foal."
Blair Burgess trainer of Real Desire
"I want to congratulate the other inductees. When I do go into Woodbine I always try to look at the plaques. There is no more appropriately named horse than Real Desire. He was a life changer for me and my family and holds a very special place in our hearts. Karin called him her fourth child. I recall hearing from my second trainer Bill Rapson how great he was as a baby. I hummed and hawed like I always do and he turned out to be something else. The World Record at two was very dramatic for me. For a $16,000 yearling to then be sold for $1 million, it was quite the shock. We had epic battles all year long with Bettors Delight at three, he's in the Hall Of Fame now, too. After that it was difficult but easy to bring him back at four. And then he ran the table.
Now his story lives on as a stallion, siring the likes of Tell All - a horse that won what Real Desire didn't, the Jug and North America Cup."
Robert Tiller
"I believe respect is the best thing a person can receive and that is what i am receiving today. I love horse racing, I love my job. This is a great honour tonight. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Mark Samuel on behalf of Smart Strike
"He gave us many thrills on the racetrack, and now he continues to thrill us with his many foals including Curlin."
Rick Balaz owner of Wilderness Song
"Ernie Samuel was an incredible patriot, and to be able to compete with her outside of Canada was a fantastic thing. We are very grateful for this honour."
The evening also featured a live and silent auction, with a number of wonderful items including Somebeachsomewhere's halter, which was donated by the colt's co-owner and trainer, Brent MacGrath.
Emma-Jayne Wilson, who won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2005 and 2006 in addition to being voted the United States Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2005, was the winning bidder on the much sought after item, which sold for $2,100.
Those in attendance at tonight's induction ceremony were very generous when it came to bidding on the array of items offered in both the live and silent auction.
All proceeds from the Silent and Live Auctions benefit the Hall of Fame and help to ensure that Canadian horse racing's pioneers and horses, as well as the contemporary heroes are properly honoured.
Detailed bios on the eight inductees are available by clicking here.