Bill Andrew is well known throughout Atlantic Canada for his contributions to local harness racing.
Whether consigning high-class yearlings to PEI and Nova Scotia sales; sponsoring a Meridian Farms Day at Newfoundland’s only racing venue, the St. Johns Racing and Entertainment Centre; donating a full set of new harness and harness bags to the buyers of the top-priced colt and filly at the NSPE Yearling Sale; bringing well-bred stallions to stand in the Maritimes; or donating all purses won by his PEI-based pacer Hurrah to local charities, the owner of Meridian Farms (with brother Brian) is perhaps the region’s best-qualified spokesman and corporate citizen.
He’s also the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association’s vice president and an at-large member of the Standardbred Canada special committee on sales. He and Meridian Farms were winners of the 2014 Alberta Standardbred Horse Association Breeder of the Year Award and runners-up in the Armstrong Brothers Breeder of the Year category at the 2014 O’Brien Awards. The Calgary-based professional engineer (P. Eng.) comes from a Milton, PEI family rich in harness racing tradition. With sound knowledge of the past and demonstrated commitment to the future of Atlantic Canadian harness racing, Andrew offers some sage advice on keeping the local industry alive and kicking through tough times.
By Melissa Keith
