RAISE A COLT

CHAPTER TWO DOUBLE DASH RACING 1957 - 1975 By the mid-fifties it was becoming obvious that the format for stakes racing had to change from heat racing to something more up-to-date. The coming of the mobile starting gate and the advent of night racing, with the installation of a lighting system at the Charlottetown Driving Park signaled a new era of racing on PEI. The breeding of standardbred horses was also experiencing a growth spurt and the number of older horses racing was such that the PEI tracks at Charlottetown and Summerside were adding race dates. To complicate matters further there was a steady decline in matinee racing events and such popular venues as Covehead, Montague and Northam were having trouble attracting patrons who were demanding more modern facilities. The city tracks were in a position to dictate the format of their racing programs and in the face of this the change from heat racing to something more entertaining and more compatible with the needs of the general public was made.

Rushaway Chief becomes the first sub 2:20 two-year-old in 1962 with Don MacNeill up.

The annual meeting of the PEI Harness Racing Club voted unanimously to adopt a “best of two” races format that became known as double dashes. While many of these early races resulted in double winners, it was not always so, and the method used to decide the ultimate winner in the case of the two dashes having different winners was called “best of summary”. This amounted to determining which of the dash winners had finished best in their losing race and in the event of a tie on that basis the best winning time was the deciding factor. There were occasional races where the class had enough entries to split into two divisions and when this happened the top three or four in each division, depending on the total number of entries, would contest the second dash, with the overall winner again decided by best summary. There were several occasions where the ultimate winner did not win either of the divisions but did win the second dash and thus was declared the overall winner.

In 1975 the pacing divisions had grown in numbers such that separate divisions of colts and fillies were required, all going double dashes. This was an omen of things to come and before long it became standard procedure to separate the entries on sex in addition to age and gait.

Shermar David became the first sub 2:10 three-year-old pacer in 1966 winning both dashes

Double dash racing became a thing of the past in 1976 when again the growth in the industry and changing customer preference resulted in single dash racing being the format of choice for overnight races.

Lookaway won in 1970 for co-owners Don Simmonds and Dr. Blair Kelly. Don drives here and wife Nan is by his side

Club secretary Bill Gillespie presents the trophy to Mr Agnew and Mr Ellis, the owners of Cyclone Kelly, driven by Lorne Kelly to a win in 1960

RAISE A COLT

1957

The President’s View – J A Annear – Vice President “In recent years we see new records piling up. This last year Lady Lakeburn trotted a mile at Fredericton in 2:08.3 and thereby shattered the old record of 2:14 held by Hillside Scott since 1939. A new record for Maritime bred two-year-old pacers was also set by Hal Again, pacing a mile in 2:16.4. We feel both of these performances will take some time to better. Bad weather postponed our races from the scheduled Labor Day to September 4th. There were twenty-six starters and total purses of $2,500. It is with sadness that we note the passing of veteran trainer Clarence Schuman and Cyril Dauphinee of Halifax, a longtime supporter.” Race Highlights Ruthies First gave Cyril Smith his first Futurity win in a two dash triumph in the four-year-old trotting class. Pepsi First with Jack Annear driving took the two-year-old pace. It was Jack Annear’s first Futurity win as a driver and second as an owner. Lady Lakeburn took over four seconds off the three-year-old trotting mark and was driven by Myron MacArthur in his first Futurity win in 2:12. She was bred by George Woodside of Fredericton NB, and bought initially by Dr Atkins who stood her sire Lakeburn. He was a Maritime bred, the breeder being Leonard Barrieau of Lakeburn NB. Lady Lakeburn was later bought by the Mapco Stable of Summerside. As a broodmare she produced the iron tough Judge Rankin, a twenty-five time winner and a Futurity winner that made over $32,000 and was sold into Quebec. Personalities Myron MacArthur had several very special moments in his long association with the sport. In 1957 he drove Lady Lakeburn to a Colt Stakes record of 2:12, taking almost five second off the previous mark and setting a new one that held up till Pack Truce beat it in 1981. Lady Lakeburn would repeat the next year with another stakes record in the four-year-old trot. His second great moment was being chosen as the PEI Colt Stakes representative to sit in the Royal box with Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their visit to Charlottetown. He later distinguished himself as a driver with Free-for-all horses with Dees Boy winning the Gold Cup and Saucer.

September 4th 1957 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Ruthies First (Cyril Smith) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – James Shaw, Montague Best time – 2:21.3 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Jolly Bruce (D Macneill) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Brookins, Kensington Best time – 2:18.4 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Lady Lakeburn (M MacArthur) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr Atkins, Fredericton, NB Best time – 2:12 Stakes record 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Pepsi First (J Annear) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Annear&Lowery, Montague Best time - 2:21 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Mary Leah (S. Stead) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Leigh O’Brien, Elmsdale Best time – 2:24.4

Myron MacArthur at his home track in Kensington

Myron McArthur meets Princess Diana and Prince Charles at the races in Charlottetown

RAISE A COLT

1958

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “Another year has passed and it gives me great pleasure, as President, to report that there was more interest shown in our stakes than ever before, based on the large crowd in attendance. The question of the four-year-old races continues to be raised and we have struck a committee to be responsible for laying out the guidelines for all races with respect to eligibility, payments and purses such that we can have some basis for future decisions and needed changes. Members of the committee are myself, Bill Gillespie, Harold Cudmore, Lorne Kelly, and George Gregory.” Race Highlights Lady Lakeburn repeated her efforts of last year with yet another record breaking performance as she swept the two dashes of the four-year-old class for trotters. Lady Lou Hal and Miss Honey Fingo won the two-year-old pacing and trotting classes respectively and both were owned by the same owner, another first for the Futurity. Izzie Reynard gave George Callbeck yet another Futurity win as he owned and drove the three-year-old pacer that was bred by fellow club founder Wilbur MacArthur. Mary Leah repeated as a Futurity winner with H B Willis driving to his first Futurity win. Personalities Horace (H.B.) Willis was a potato farmer and exporter in Kingston, PEI. He became involved in harness racing first as a pastime, and then as a breeder and ultimately, a serious buyer of top horses. He was a partner in some of his buying and breeding adventures with George Henderson, who operated Angus Farms in Quebec and later in Ontario. His favorite horse was Canu Bay, a New Zealand gelding that he campaigned on the Maritime circuit and earned over $122,000 with forty-two wins lifetime, many with H.B. in the bike. He stood several stallions including Hoot Frost, and was the first Islander to have an entry in the Hambletonian, a horse called Arnies Aim, later exported to Denmark. He also bought and raced Armbro Belmont, a son of Albatross that was the first stallion to stand at Hanover Shoe Farms and be owned by a Maritimer. After his Futurity win in 1958, he won again in 1964 with Genessees Pal, a trotter he bred, owned and drove in the three-year-old Futurity that year. He also bred the two-year-trotter Murrays Laddie, a Colt Stakes winner in 1973.

September 1958 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Lady Lakeburn (M MacArthur) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr Atkins, Fredericton, NB Best time – 2:09.1 Stakes record 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Izzie Reynard (G Callbeck) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Callbeck , Summerside Best time – 2:14.1 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Mary Leah (H B Willis) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Leigh O’Brien, Elmsdale Best time – 2:29.2 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Lady Lou Hal (W A Roberts) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – W A Roberts, Fredericton, NB Best time - 2:18 Stakes record 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Miss Honey Fingo (S Campbell) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – W A Roberts, Fredericton, NB Best time – 2:38.1

Maritime Champion Lady Lakeburn

Horace Willis

RAISE A COLT

1959

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “You will recall that last year a committee was appointed to look into the continuation of the four-year-old trot and other stakes matters. It was decided to continue the race provided that a minimum of ten horses were nominated and four started. In addition, the Club will add $250 to each class and the balance of the purse will be made up of the fees paid for that class and any other funds such as the Government grant, which would be similarly apportioned. This proved much more satisfactory than the previous way of having all purses the same amount, regardless of the number of entries.” Race Highlights Mary Leah repeated again as a Futurity trotting winner this time as a four-year-old. Her three Futurity wins have come with three different drivers, this year with Don MacNeill taking his first stake win. Emba in the three-year-old trot was driven by Lem Neill for his first of several Futurity wins and another owner win for George Callbeck. Holly Bud won the two-year-old pace for his Quebec based owner C V Poley. Brewers Pride won the two-year-old trot class with Don Seaman driving and owner/breeder E M Johnstone of Great Village Nova Scotia claiming his first of four Futurity wins. Morleys Pride won a double dash three-year-old pacing class, driven by Ralph Annear for his owner/breeder father and new Club President Jack Annear. It was a fitting victory on the 25th anniversary of the Club’s founding. Personalities Jack A Annear was President of the Club from 1958 to 1967. Prior to that he was a director for several years. His influence both on and off the track has been a major reason for the success of Colt Stakes racing over the past sixty years and it continues today through his son Ralph. The Annear family, through Jack and Ralph as breeders, owners or drivers, has collectively won more Futurities and PEI Colt Stakes races than any other individual or family, and the number continues to grow with each passing year. Jack Annear first joined the PEI Harness Racing Club as a member in 1945 and was joined by his son Ralph in 1957. He owned or shared in eight Colt Stakes winners and with six of these as the breeder of record. He also drove one of his own to a Colt Stakes win with Pepsi First in 1957.

September 1959 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Mary Leah (D MacNeill) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Leigh O’Brien, Elmsdale Best time – 2:20 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Morleys Pride (R Annear) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Jack Annear, Montague Best time – 2:17 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Emba (Lem Neill) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Callbeck, Summerside Best time – 2:24 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $500 Holly Bud (C Poley) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – C V Poley, Quebec Best time - 2:20 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Brewers Pride (D Seaman) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – E M Johnson, Great Village, NS Best time – 2:32.3

Jack Annear with trotter Ritas Trinket, a winner in 1947

Jack Annear

RAISE A COLT

1960

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “I think we will all agree that this year’s stakes were the best ever. The classes were filled, the attendance was the largest ever and the races were close and exciting. Everyone enjoyed themselves in the spirit of Colt Stakes racing that has become a feature of our annual event. Mainland horses were again quite prominent, capturing two classes. There were thirty-six starters in the five classes, the most we have ever had. We have approached the Exhibition Association to see if next year we may return some or all of the races to Old Home Week. It is my sad duty to record the passing of George Cudmore, our Vice President and a member for the past ten years ”. Race Highlights Cyclone Kelly won the four-year-old trot with the best summary for Lorne Kelly who picked up his first Futurity win. Brewers Pride repeated as a Futurity winner by taking the three-year-old trot class, and was driven this time by owner E M Johnson. Holly Bud repeated as a Futurity winner, for new ownership and a new driver, in the three-year-old pacing class. J Orland C won a double dash two-year-old pacing class, and it was a second consecutive year for owner Jack Annear and driver Ralph Annear to make the winners circle. Personalities Ralph Annear first joined the PEI Harness Racing Club over fifty years ago and drove to his first win in the Futurity in 1959 with Morleys Pride, a horse owned by his father Jack Annear. The following year he won for his father again with one of his favorite horses, J Orland C. Since that time, Ralph has been a perennial contender in the annual Colt Stakes and is one of the oldest members of the Club still active. With twelve Colt Stakes wins as a breeder, seventeen as an owner and eighteen as a driver, he has amassed more Island Colt Stakes victories than any Islander in the history of the Colt Stakes racing on PEI. He has also earned four Stakes records, all with trotters, and currently holds the three-year-old trotting record of 2:01.1 set by Maple Leaf Noble in 2006. He is, and has been several times before, a director of the PEI Colt Stakes, and among his many accomplishments he could easily claim the title of “Mr Colt Stakes”.

September 1960 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $450 Cyclone Kelly (Lorne Kelly) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Agnew&Ellis, Charlottetown Best time – 2:19 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $700 Holly Bud (B Noland) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner –Poley&MacLean, Quebec Best time – 2:14 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $450 Brewers Pride (E M Johnson) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – E M Johnson, Gt Village, NS Best time – 2:19 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $550 J Orland C (R Annear) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Jack Annear, Montague Best time - 2:25.3 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $550 Catherine M (Leo Collins) 1of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – W Keenan, Murray River Best time – 2:29.2

Cyclone Kelly wins in 1960, Bill Gillespie is presenting

Ralph Annear

RAISE A COLT

1961

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “At every annual meeting it becomes necessary to write into the records unhappy events connected with our membership and there is none more so than the passing of our former President Dr R F Seaman. He was the heart and soul and inspiration for the Colt Stakes for many years. His calm, courteous manner, his well beloved figure and his high standards of sportsmanship have gained him an unassailable position of public trust and confidence. He will be remembered by all who had the priviledge of knowing him.” Race Highlights Brewers Pride became one of the few horses in Colt Stakes history to win in all three years as he beat the four-year-old class. Brewers Bill made it a double celebration for owner and breeder E M Johnston of Nova Scotia as he took the three-year-old trotting Futurity with two wins. Nora Annway took best summary in the three-year-old trot as George Callbeck won his last Futurity, to make it five in total as a driver. Little Art won both dashes of the two-year-old trot for driver Earle Semple and breeder George Semple. True Long won the two-year-old pacing class with Alf Lowery driving. Jack Annear watched his third consecutive winner as an owner. Personalities Norah Longworth was a long time member of the PEI Colt Stakes. She was named an honorary director in 1984 for her support of the program. She bred and raised horses with the Esker name. As the story goes it should have been Esher, after the street where she lived in Charlottetown, but the registration for her first foal, Esher Dreamtime, from her foundation mare Day Dream Lass, came back as Esker and the name stuck. Nora was an outspoken activist for the cause of horse racing generally, seldom missing a race program. Esker Hillhurst, one of her favorites, won the four-year-old pacing class in 1991 to finally give her the Colt Stakes win she long hoped for. Her legacy lives on as another descendant of her mare Day Dream Lass, named Longworth Midnight, was a stakes winner at year end in 2008, albeit it not a PEI Colt Stake race. In all Day Dream Lass had nine foals and all of them raced and took records.

September 1961 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $450 Brewers Pride (E M Johnson) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – E M Johnson, Great Village, NS Best time – 2:25.1 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $750 Nora Annway (George Callbeck) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner –George Callbeck, Summerside Best time – 2:17 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $400 Brewers Bill (E M Johnston) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – E M Johnson, Great Village, NS Best time – 2:19 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $750 True Long (A Lowery) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Jack Annear, Montague Best time - 2:21 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $450 Little Art (E Semple) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Semple, Kensington Best time – 2:33.2

Esker Hillhurst, Norah, owner Joe Arsenault and Kathleen MacMillan celebrate a Colt Stakes win in 1991

Day Dream Lass winning for Lorne Kelly

Nora Longworth

RAISE A COLT

1962

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “In an effort to increase the purses for our stakes, the membership approved an increase in the payments by an extra $5 per payment. At the same time, a request was forwarded to the Provincial Government requesting an increase in their annual grant, which has been at $1,000 for the past twelve years. We would like to thank our trophy sponsors for their continued support. They are The Rendezvous Restaurant, The Horse and Sulky Club, The J R Williams Memorial, The E F Acorn Memorial, and as always the Col Dan MacKinnon trophy. This was a particularly sad year for our membership with the loss of Roy Bevan, Emmett Gallant, George Barbour, George Brookins, Byron Brown, Ensor Bowness and club founder Harry O’Brien.” Race Highlights Mr Gallon won both dashes of the four-year-old stake with driver Stanley White taking his first Futurity win. Little Art won both dashes of the three-year-old trot, to make it two consecutive Futurity wins for him with driver Earle Semple and breeder George Semple. Dots Chief took both dashes in the three-year-old pace for driver and owner Cyril Smith. Rushaway Chief won the two-year-old pace in a stakes record and it was the first Futurity win for Doug Hill as an owner. Personalities Doug Hill has been around longer than any other PEI Colt Stakes member, since he first joined the PEI Harness Racing Club in 1951. He has trained and driven his own horses and is still active as an owner today. In 2008, he campaigned a stakes winning filly in the Maritimes, although not as a winner in the Colt Stakes. He has, however, done his share of winning with his first Colt Stakes win in 1962, Rushaway Chief, setting the two-year-old record at 2:19 with Don MacNeill driving; then with Glengyle Mynah in 1975; with Hes A Knight, the sale topper in 1995, winning in 1997; and another stakes record with Seawind Alpha in 2000. A regular buyer at the yearling sales, he continues to take an active part in the training of his purchases. Doug was a former member of the ownership group that took over the running of the Charlottetown Driving Park after the retirement of Col Dan MacKinnon.

September 1962 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $400 Mr Gallon (Stanley White) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – R S Humphrey, Kensington Best time – 2:18.2 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $600 Dots Chief (Cyril Smith) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Cyril Smith, Hunter River Best time – 2:17.1 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $430 Little Art (Earle Semple) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Semple, Kensington Best time – 2:20.1 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $600 Rushaway Chief (Don MacNeill) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Doug Hill, Charlottetown Best time - 2:19 Stakes record 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $470 Sarahs Fortress (Wilbur Dickie) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Wilbur Dickie, Cape Traverse Best time – 2:43.2

Rushaway Chief and Don MacNeill

Doug Hill

RAISE A COLT

1963

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “You will remember that this past year we raised the fees for the stakes and many thought this might cause owners to hesitate on payment fearing their colt would not be ready. I am happy to say that was not the case as we had seventy-three nominations, about the usual number. We did, however, see the purses increase to the highest ever level with a total of $3,220. The number of two-year-olds was down and we must admit the competition in these classes was poor with five starters in the trot and only four pacers. The three-year-old pacers were raced in elimination heats for the first time with The Dairyman surprising the elimination winners in the final dash.” Race Highlights Little Art made it three consecutive Futurity wins as he swept the two dashes for the four-year-old stake. He became the third horse in the history of the Colt Stakes to accomplish this feat. Veteran Tyndall Semple did the driving for his son and owner George Semple. The Dairyman won only one dash but it was the final one after two eliminations of the three-year-old pacers. He was driven by Lem Neill in this the first Futurity contested with eliminations and a final. Sarahs Fortress swept the two dashes for the three-year-old trot and was a repeat Futurity winner for owner Wilbur Dickie. King Gallon gave Lem Neill his second Futurity win on the day as owner H S Humphrey took home his second stakes trophy in two years. Askit was just the latest but not the last winner for the team of Alfred Lowery driving and Jack Annear as owner. It was a record sixth Futurity win to date for Alf Lowery. Personalities William Gillespie served as Secretary of the organization from 1946 till 1967 then became President till 1974. A gruff and somewhat humourless man he was nevertheless a tireless worker for the cause of Colt Stakes racing. He was directly involved with the club for over 30 years in several positions as a director, secretary or President. He never owned a Colt Stakes winner but he was an avid fan of the sport, maintaining meticulous records of the events and individuals involved, much of which has been used in the early historical record found in this book.

September 1963 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Little Art (Tyndall Semple) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Semple, Kensington Best time – 2:17 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,080 The Dairyman (Lem Neill) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – McRae & Ferguson, NS Best time – 2:16.1 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $540 Sarahs Fortress (W Dickie) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Wilbur Dickie , Cape Traverse Best time – 2:29.1 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $550 Askit (Alfred Lowery) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Jack Annear, Montague Best time - 2:20.1 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $550 King Gallon (Lem Neill) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – H S Humphrey, Kensington Best time – 2:18.2

Little Art and Tyndall Semple

William (Bill) Gillespie was a former manager of the Charlottetown Airport and of the Charlottetown track.

RAISE A COLT

1964

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “A motion was passed at our annual meeting to include the four-year-old pacers in our program again. We look forward to next years program to see if this will be successful. There was a significant drop of seventeen overall in nominations for this years stakes. It is hoped that adding the four-year-colt class will result in more interest in the program. We mourn this year the passing of Col Dan MacKinnon. The courteous, well beloved figure, whose racing colours gathered glory and admiration on Maritime tracks for the past fifty years, is no longer with us in the flesh. Of modest personality, his gentlemanly conduct and high standards of sportsmanship had an appeal for race crowds, which gained him a position of trust and confidence. His clean character enriched the game to which he was devoted. He went a great race and flashed under the last wire honoured and mourned.” Race Highlights Triflite took the four-year-old class with the best summary in two the dashes for driver Joe Hennessey. Askit made it two futurity wins in a row and driver Alfred Lowery upped his driving record to seven winners as he won the second dash beating the three-year-old pacers on summary. Genessees Pal swept the two dashes for the three-year-old trot driven by his owner and breeder H B Willis. Kenna K and Miss Restigouche were both double dash winners in the two-year-old trot and the two-year-old pace respectively. Personalities Leo Collins was one of the prominent horsemen in the Montague area in the early days and captured his first Colt Stakes win as a driver in 1945 with the trotter Bee Budlong. He drove Royal Train in his three-year-old win and capped off his Colt Stakes career with a three-year sweep from 1964-66 of the trotting Futurities with his own-bred trotting filly Kenna K. He also drove the stakes winner Ruthies First. He will be remembered as a complete horseman who was as passionate for his horses as he was for life in general. He set an example that was a standard for his neighbours to emulate and many of the younger horsemen of the area did just that.

September – 1964 Charlottetown 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Triflite (Joe Hennessey) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Lorne Burke, Sherwood Best time – 2:21.1 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $670 Askit (Alf Lowery) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Jack Annear, Montague Best time – 2:16.1 3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Genessees Pal (H B Willis) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – H B Willis, Kingston Best time – 2:33 2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $700 Miss Restigouche (Bevan Poley) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Bevan Poley, Tide Head, NS Best time - 2:21.3 2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $550 Kenna K (Leo Collins ) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – J Nicholson, Milltown Cross Best time – 2:33.4

Kenna K and driver Randall MacDonald

Leo Collins, shown here with a pacer, won all of his Futurity races with trotters.

RAISE A COLT

1965

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “Following a lively discussion at our annual meeting, which drew a capacity crowd, a proposal by Glen Kennedy for a Breeders Stake was endorsed and a committee to be headed by Mr Kennedy was established to be added to as he saw fit. Frank Acorn also announced details of early closing stakes to be offered by the Charlottetown Driving Park.” “This year’s stakes were quite good and the three classes of pacers were split into eliminations due to the large number of starters resulting in six competitive double dash races. The total purse was a new record at $3,300.” Race Highlights Knight Way took the four-year-old trotting class in double dash wins for breeder, owner and trainer Lee Taylor in his first Futurity win. Runway won the revived four-year-old pacing class by taking the final dash after two eliminations. The owner, Homer Kinch, was the first U.S. citizen to win a Futurity trophy. Pearl Way set a new two-year-old pacing record for the Colt Stakes as yet another winner became Alfred Lowery’s eighth driving win, and Jack Annear’s sixth as an owner Kenna K made it two for two in Futurity wins as this year she added the three-year-old trot to her trophies and driven this year by Lem Neill. Personalities Lee Taylor farmed all of his life in Nine Mile Creek. His typical Island mixed farming operation supported him, his wife Margaret and his family of three sons and afforded him the “luxury” of breeding and raising standardbreds. He was among the most successful small breeders of his day, producing several stakes winners and a Maritime Champion filly called Radiant Star along the way. He was active for many years in the organization and held the office of President for 1991-1992. A quiet, unassuming gentleman with a quick wit, he was also a better than average driver and trainer as he qualified his favorite horse, Armands Buddy, for the final of the Gold Cup and Saucer. He was also a man of high moral standards, refusing as he did to race his horses on Sunday even if it meant missing a major stakes race. His three sons Errol, Armand and Ewen have all contributed to the growth of the industry on PEI and sustained the family legacy.

September – 1965 Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $450 Runway (Don MacNeil) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Homer Kinch, Mass. USA Best Time – 2:13

4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $450 Knight Way (Lee Taylor) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Lee Taylor, Nine Mile Creek Best time – 2:16.1

3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $850 Molo Kai (Lorne Hennessey) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – John Simmonds, Charlottetown Best time – 2:13.2

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $400 Kenna K (Lem Neill) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – J Nicholson, Milltown Cross Best time – 2:21.4

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $600 Pearl Way (Alf Lowery) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner –Jack Annear, Montague Best time - 2:16.2 Stakes record

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $550 Garths Boy (Art Burbine) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – J H Schurman, Summerside Best time – 2:41

Lee Taylor in the CDP winners circle with his colt Radiant Knight, a son of his Maritime Champion filly Radiant Star

RAISE A COLT

1966

The President’s View – J A Annear – President “May I say that 1966 was the most successful in our thirty-two year history with over 100 horses nominated for the first time. More and more interest is being taken in Colt racing and may I express our appreciation to the Provincial Exhibition and their classifier, Mr Acorn, for the great program of Maritime Colt classes this past season. It is also noted that Halifax, Truro, Moncton and Saint John are following his example and your club, after many years of promoting Colt racing, has the pleasure of seeing the Colts come into their own. The creation of the Maritime Province’s Colt Stakes Association under the guidance of Glen Kennedy will surely result in even more racing opportunities for our younger horses.” Race Highlights Doc Price set a new record for the four-year- old pace of 2:09 for owner George Sobey Kenna K became the fourth horse to win three Futurities in a row with a double dash win in the four-year-old trot class. Shermar David broke the stakes record for three-year-old colts with Eric Moreside in the sulky for owners Dr Chris Gallant and Ray Stewart. This was the first mile paced under 2:10 by a three-year-old in Colt Stakes racing. Garths Boy repeated as a Futurity winner with a best summary triumph over the three-year-old trotters. Jim Dobson set a stakes record for two-year-old pacing colts of 2:14 with a double dash win driven by Emmett Bernard in his first Futurity win as a driver. Personalities Eric (Ike) Moreside was for three decades a respected driver at the Charlottetown Driving Park. His record setting drive of Shermar David to become the first three-year-old to beat 2:10 in the Colt Stakes history merits his inclusion as one of the few drivers featured in this book. He previously had set the record for a Maritime bred two-year-old in a 2:11.2 mile at Sackville Downs. One of his favourite horses was Eloise Wick who, he maintained, always gave her best regardless of post position. She later took a record of 2:02.3 in Florida driven by James MacGregor for owner Doug Hill. Ike, as he was best known, became the starter at the Charlottetown Driving Park after he retired from driving horses.

September 1966 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $700 Doc Price (George Sobey) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – George Sobey, Summerside Best Time – 2:09

4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $400 Kenna K (R MacDonald) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – J Nicholson, Milltown Cross Best time – 2:18.2

3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,000 Shermar David (E Moreside) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – R Stewart & C Gallant, Ch’town Best time –2:09.2 Stakes record

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $480 Garths Boy (G Chappell) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – J H Schurman, Summerside Best time – 2:27

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $780 Jim Dobson (E Bernard) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Bevan Poley, Tide Head, NS Best time - 2:14 Stakes record

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $590 Abner Gallon (M MacArthur) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – R S Humphrey, Kensington Best time – 2:48.2

Shermar David with Ike Moreside up was the first sub 2:10 three-year-old pacer in Colt Stakes action

Eloise Wick, by Gene Abbe, Ike Moreside’s favourite horse

RAISE A COLT

1967

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “Centennial year is over and I want to tell you about our Centennial project which was a Colt Stakes program booklet complete with Colt, owner, breeder and place and date of foaling. This was distributed free of charge to all members and they were in great demand. Our nominations reached a new high of 120. With 105 memberships and with the increased support and interest of horsemen around the Maritimes, the future of our stakes program indeed looks promising. The total purses raced for were also a record of $4,390 and the purse for the two-year-old pacers a record $1,299 producing a stakes record by Miramichi Dot.” Race Highlights Tinker Billie won the three-year-old pace on summary for owner Stanley Mayhew, who won a Colt Stakes trophy for the first and only time as a breeder and owner. Miramichi Dot claimed the best summary and a win in stakes record time against the two-year-old pacers. Red Clarke drove the winner and two other stakes winners, Bevs Delight and Speedy Gallon, on the same program, becoming the first driver to pull off a hat-trick in the history of the Colt Stakes. Mr Jollity beat the four-year-old pacers in two dashes with Francis MacIsaac driving his first Colt stakes winner for owner George Murphy of Augustine Cove, also getting his first Colt Stakes trophy. Mr Jollity went on to race as an aged horse and set a record of sorts by racing on six of the ten days of the Country Days and Old Home Week racing program in 1970. Personalities Stanley Mayhew was, as they say, one of a kind. He was noted primarily as a race horse owner and at one time he had as many as a hundred horses racing at several different tracks in the Maritimes and New England. He devoted his time to selling farm machinery and buying horses. He never met a horse he did not like and indeed he once bought an entire field full of horses without looking at any of them. He had a broodmare band and ran his stallions with them, but he always knew, somehow, which foal was which and its parentage – or so he led his buyers to believe. His best stallion was Adios Forever, who may be best remembered as the sire of the grandam of Maritime Champion trotter Jenny Ayres.

September 1967 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity – Purse - $626 Mr Jollity (Francis MacIsaac) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – G Murphy, Augustine Cove Best Time – 2:10.3

4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $430 Fortunes Boy (George MacLeod) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – S R Johnston, Fortune Bridge Best time – 2:18

3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $910 Tinker Billie (Herm Renaud) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Stanley Mayhew, Kinkora Best time – 2:12

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $605 Bevs Delight (Red Clarke) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Francis Vergie, NS Best time – 2:23.3

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1299 Miramichi Dot (Red Clarke) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – A & G Myra, Halifax, NS Best time - 2:16 Stakes record

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $520 Speedy Gallon (Red Clarke) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Ralph White, Kennetcook, NS Best time – 2:27

Mr Jollity and Frances MacIsaac

Stanley Mayhew

RAISE A COLT

1968

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “The Colt Stakes returned to a date in August after a succession of years where bad weather had affected one or more of the races held during September. August 22nd saw fast times but short classes as the four-year-old events did not fill and the three-year-old trot went with only four starters. Two eliminations were held for the two-year-old pace, however, and the heated competition resulted in a Stakes record for Besta Scotch in 2:11.4 cutting over two seconds off the previous record. The race program drew the biggest crowd ever for the Colt Stakes and resulted in a record bet”. Race Highlights Miramichi Dot repeated as a futurity winner in the three-year-old pacing class taking both dashes in identical times of 2:12.2, a new stakes record for the filly for the second year. West River Earl was a winner for Cyril Smith in the three-year-old trotting stake and it was the first of many stakes wins for breeder West River Farm in Nova Scotia. Rash Statement gave Elwood Shaw his first Colt Stakes win a double dash win for owner and breeder Dr George Bishop. Besta Scotch broke the Stakes record for two-year-old colts the final in 2:11.4 after winning his elimination dash in 2:16 with Herm Renaud. Personalities Clare MacDonald is one of the top females in the sport as a driver, trainer and breeder of standardbreds. Operating from her family homestead, West River Farm, in Antigonish she and her husband Ken have built upon the legacy of her father, Ed Haley, to become dominant contenders in the Maritime stakes programs. Her thirty-one Colt Stakes wins as a driver are unequalled and coupled with her wins as owner and breeder she has just surpassed her good friend Ralph Annear in all around wins in PEI Colt Stakes history. With five stakes records to her credit including the current four-year-old record with her own West River Diesel, she will likely take the lead in that category too in the near future. West River Farm’s first winner of thirteen breeder’s credits to date was in 1968 with West River Earl and the latest, forty years later, in 2008 with Super S Crosby, from Island Tradition, a mare shared with Morah Kerr.

August 22nd 1968 - Charlottetown 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,015 Miramichi Dot (Red Clarke) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – A & G Myra, Halifax, NS Best time – 2:12.2 Stakes record

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $506 West River Earl (Cyril Smith) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Cyril Smith, Hunter River Best time – 2:21.1

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,206 Besta Scotch (Herm Renaud) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Harvey Ross, Moncton, NB Best time - 2:11.4 Stakes record

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $665 Rash Statement (Elwood Shaw) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:24.3

Rash Statement was bred by Dr George Bishop

Mr and Mrs Ed Haley

Clare MacDonald

RAISE A COLT

1969

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “In April we mailed out almost 400 entry forms to owners all over the Maritimes and we had a record number of nominations, 147 in total, with 63 two-year-olds, 59 three-year-olds and 25 four-year-olds. There were only six four-year-old trotters, however, and when the stakes came around this class did not fill. The five classes raced for a total of $4,595, a new record for the Colt Stakes. I have served notice of my intention to retire as President next year. I have enjoyed my years with the Club and trust that I have been of some service to our goal of promoting racing opportunities for Colts. It is with a heavy heart that we remember the loss of the likes of William Boyles, Tyndall Semple, Len O’Meara, Harry Silliphant and others. Race Highlights Rash Statement repeated in winning her second Futurity this time in the three-year-old trot, winning both dashes. Millies Rose was the victor in the three-year-old pacing stake, with Alyre Pineau claiming his first driving win and brother John his first Futurity win as an owner. Darn Good Deal won the two-year-old trot on summary and gave driver Elwood Shaw and owner Dr George Bishop a double on the program as they were the same connections in Rash Statement’s win. West River Brian claimed the race-off in the two-year-old pacing class as he beat Fenway Boy to the wire. It was the first win in stakes action for owner Ron MacArthur. Personalities Alyre and John Pineau won their first Futurity with a pacer but in later years they bred and raced some of the best trotters the Maritimes have ever seen. Alyre was and still is known as Mr Trot for the way he could condition and race the trotter. Saulsbrook Lighting was a Maritime Champion that Alyre trained, sharing ownership with Ron Kennedy. Alyre’s son Joey would win twice. His brother John had success in the sulky too, primarily with trotters that he bred and raced such as Colt Stakes record holder Rustico Ben and PEI Colt Stakes winners like Rustico Bayelbay and Rustico Van. With twelve breeders credits, ten of these as the owner, and five driving wins, John is one of the top all around performers in Colt Stakes history.

August 1969 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $950 West River Eggaway (R MacFadyen) 2 of 2 Winning Owner – R. MacFadyen, Hunter River Best Time – 2:10 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,210 Millies Rose (Alyre Pineau) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – John Pineau, South Rustico Best time – 2:12.3

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $510 Rash Statement (Elwood Shaw) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:14.2

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,105 West River Brian (Wayne Rudge)2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Ron MacArthur, Summerside Best time - 2:15.2

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $665 Darn Good Deal (Elwood Shaw) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:21.2

Alyre Pineau (above) and John Pineau (below)

RAISE A COLT

1970

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “I think you will agree that 1970 was the finest year in our history. Between our own stakes and the stakes that the Charlottetown Driving Park programmed the colts raced for over $23,000 in purses. This is what our club has been striving for down through the years. As we look forward we expect bigger and better things to come. We had 35 starters in our stakes this year and raced five classes with total purses of $4,765, a new high. In addition we also sponsored a three-year-old pace on September 10th and they raced for $1,540. Things are really looking up.” Race Highlights Lookaway won the four-year-old stake with Clarkie Smith driving for co-owners Dr A B Kelly and Don Simmonds. It was a first Colt Stakes win all around. Stormy Sam was best summary in the three-year-old pacing stake for driver/owner John “Buddy” Campbell. It was his first win as a driver but he would rein home another stakes winner in Champ Wayvue in the two-year-old pace before the day was over. Marion Stretch beat the three-year-old trotters twice to take home the trophy for driver J Alan Smith and owner Charles Oakes Both were first time stakes winners. Kenarb Crier set a new mark for two-year-old trotters for owner Glen Kennedy and driven by Walter Craig. Personalities Glen Kennedy created his place in the history of the sport when he proposed and then delivered a Sires Stake program for the Maritimes that became known as the Atlantic Sires. He recognized the importance of providing more racing opportunities for younger horses and the positive effect this would have on yearling prices and on the quality of breeding generally. Stallion owners were asked to contribute as well as those raising yearlings by nominating to the program annually. The Atlantic Sires Stakes is now the mainstay of Colt Stakes racing in the region and the Glen Kennedy Memorial award is given annually to someone who has been a positive force in the breeding industry, just as he was. Besides owning Kenarb Crier he also bred the Colt Stakes winner Wind Warning, a two-year-old winner in 1983.

August 1970 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,115 Lookaway (Clark Smith) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – A Blair Kelly & Don Simmonds, Southport and Cornwall. Best Time – 2:11.2 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,540 Stormy Sam (John Campbell) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – John Campbell, Charlottetown Best time – 2:09.3

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $480 Marion Stretch (J Alan Smith) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Charles Oakes, Nth Wiltshire Best time – 2:16.2

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,130 Champ Wayvue (John Campbell) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Eric Craig, North Tryon Best time - 2:14.4

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $500 Kenarb Crier (Walter Craig) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Glen Kennedy, Charlottetown Best time – 2:17.2 Stakes record

Champ Wayvue and Buddy Campbell are greeted by owner Eric Craig in the winner’s photo at Charlottetown.

Glen Kennedy

RAISE A COLT

1971

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “At every annual meeting it becomes necessary to write into the records the unhappy events connected with our membership. Thus it is that we recall the passing of George A Callbeck. It was back in 1933 on the ice in Summerside harbour that the PEI Harness Racing Club was originated through an argument between the late Gordon Dawson and Wilbur MacArthur over the merits of their colts. This resulted in a meeting in the offices of the Canadian Fox Breeders Association on May 15th 1934 and the club was founded. George Callbeck was its first President. The foresight of the founders has largely been fulfilled but we must continue to strive for greater things in the future.” Race Highlights John Willie Bob set a new standard for four-year-old pacers of 2:07.3 for driver Joe Hennessey, winning both dashes for the three owners whose names the pacer carried. That’s My David cut two seconds off the previous Colt Stakes record for three-year-old pacers as he cruised to a double dash win for driver Dave Pinkney and breeder David Kileel of Fredericton, NB. Happy Timmy upset favorite Dr Walter C, beating him twice in the two-year-old pace with owner Armand Bernard in the sulky. Rush Storm took John “Buddy” Campbell to the winners circle for his second consecutive year as the two-year-old trotter by Stormy Song had the best summary in his class. The three-year-old trot was won by Cherry Brandy, another win for Elwood Shaw driving for Dr George Bishop as owner and breeder. Personalities Hollis Jenkins was born in Mount Herbert in 1910, the oldest of ten children. He was a well- respected teacher for forty-four years. He operated a mixed farm with his wife Myrtle and dealt in shipping produce and livestock. His greatest passion, however, was race-horses and although he never had a Colt Stakes winner in his fifty year involvement with the Club and Association, he did have a very special trotter in Colgans Comet. Co-owned and driven by Bobby Craig, Colgans Comet set the Charlottetown track trotting record in 1983. Hollis was a Colt Stakes director on several occasions and was named an honorary director in 1987, the same year he was named Horseman of the Year on PEI.

August 1971 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $940 John Willie Bob (Joe Hennessey) 2 of 2 dashes Winning Owners – John England, William and Bob Stevenson, Charlottetown, PEI Best Time – 2:07.3 Stakes record 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $925 That’s My David (Dave Pinkney) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – John Murphy, Truro, NS Best time – 2:07.2 Stakes record

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $490 Cherry Brandy (Elwood Shaw) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:13.3

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,125 Happy Timmy (Armand Bernard)2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Armand Bernard, Moncton, NB Best time - 2:12

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $570 Rush Storm (John Campbell) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Wendell Profitt, Kensington Best time – 2:27

John Willie Bob and Joe Hennessey

Hollis Jenkins

RAISE A COLT

1972

The President’s View – William G Gillespie – President “Discussion at the annual meeting centered on the need for additional funding for purses. The Government grant has been at $1,000 for the past twenty-four years when Premier Walter Jones first offered it to the club. Since that time there has been no interest displayed in increasing it despite the fact that harness racing has grown in popularity and in economic benefit to the Provincial Government. It was decided to approach the Department of Agriculture, which currently provides grants to many other breeds in larger sums, to consider an increase. Our stake races this year drew only twenty-eight starters and the four-year-old trot did not fill. It is apparent that we need to make the purses more attractive to offset such a decline in numbers and to make us competitive with the other stake programs that are now available for our Maritime bred horses.” Race Highlights Judge Rankin won the three-year-old trot and became one of the few Futurity winners to have a dam that was also a Futurity winner. West River Ian and Larrys Eve won their respective elimination divisions of the three-year-old pacers, then Larrys Eve finished first in the final but was set back for interference, giving the win to West River Ian. This was the first of several stakes successes for James MacGregor and partner Myron Bell and the third Colt Stakes win in five years for breeder Ed Haley of West River Farm in Antigonish. CJC gave Ike Moreside his third futurity win as a driver when he won the two-year-old pace in straight heats. Personalities Bradford Murray made his living in construction but also had a small breeding operation on the Brackley Point Road where he raised his youngsters with the “Brackley” name. Brackleys Ada was to be one of his best, and she was a multiple stake winner at two and three. She went on to race at Bluebonnets in Montreal. Brad was an active member and director of the PEI Colt Stakes and it was his idea to start a yearling sale, having made the suggestion at a director’s meeting in 1976. His idea came to fruition in 1977 and in 1978 he had the pleasure and honour of selling the highest priced yearling of that year, called Brackleys Star by Sciota Star for $8,300.

August 1972 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $930 Adios Sandy (Guy Gaudet) 1 of 2 dashes Winning Owners – R McKenna, Moncton, NB Best Time – 2:11.2 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,190 West River Ian (James MacGregor) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owners – Jim MacGregor and Myron Bell, Charlottetown Best time – 2:11

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $565 Judge Rankin (Alyre Pineau) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner –Mapco Stables, Summerside Best time – 2:23.1

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,090 CJC (Eric Moreside) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Philip Craig, Lower Sackville, NS Best time – 2:14.3

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $490 Town Express (Don MacNeill) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:21

Bradford Murray was a long serving director who initiated the PEI Select Yearling sale in 1976.

RAISE A COLT

1973

From The Minutes – Ida Sudsbury – Secretary “A heated discussion was held over the question of double versus single dashes. Dr George Bishop spoke about the Atlantic Sires meeting where this issue will come up. He urged members to attend the meeting to make their views known. He spoke in favour of staying with double dashes. Albert Bernard felt a more important issue was to get the colts and fillies in separate divisions and this was supported by Alyre Pineau. Parnell Kelly suggested looking into the cost of joining the Canadian Trotting Association given that we are not getting any support from the USTA and don’t have a USTA representative from PEI. Ritchie MacPhee was appointed to approach the Government of PEI for an increase in the annual grant. Hollis Jenkins asked that we have the Club incorporated and this was approved.” Race Highlights Dr Walter C won both dashes of the four-year-old stake for owner and driver Elmer Waite of Summerside in his first win. Kimmys Whim won both dashes of the three-year-old trot driven by Ralph Annear. Glengyle Moe was best in summary in the two-year-old pacing colts as James “Roach” MacGregor won his second consecutive stake for the Blue Bell Farm of Summerside. Murrays Laddie bred by Horace Willis, and owned and driven by Charlie Piper of Nova Scotia, came home to beat the two-year-old trotters in two dashes. Personalities James “Roach” MacGregor had a storied career as a trainer and driver in the big leagues of racing on the East Coast. He campaigned horses from New York to Toronto and Montreal. An opinionated man who loved to rib both friends and casual acquaintances, he nevertheless gained a reputation as a skilled horseman. On his retirement from Grand circuit racing he returned to PEI to start up Glengyle Farm in Milton, where he stood a succession of stallions, but none more illustrious than Dominion Byrd, a sire that helped greatly to improve the early speed of the pacing colts in the Maritimes. He also stood Major League and Newport Robbi, and the latter is one of the top sires in Colt Stakes history in terms of winners. Roach set a colt stakes record with Glengyle Express as a two-year-old and won six times as a driver, several of which winners he also owned and bred.

August 1973 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,155 Dr Walter C (Elmer Waite) 2 of 2 dashes Winning Owners – Elmer Waite, Summerside Best Time – 2:10.1 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,055 Anthonys Song (Sid Stead) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owners – Harold Stead & Edward MacLeod, Charlottetown Best time – 2:13.4

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $560 Kimmys Whim (Ralph Annear) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Hal Hennessey, Montague Best time – 2:20

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,475 Glengyle Moe (James MacGregor) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Bluebell Farm, Summerside Best time – 2:16.1

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $590 Murrays Laddie (Charles Piper) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Charles Piper, Lower Sackville Best time – 2:23.4

James “Roach” MacGregor and his stallion Dominion Byrd

James “Roach” MacGregor

RAISE A COLT

1974

The President’s View – Ron MacArthur – President “The past year has been one of great progress. The Club became incorporated under the name PEI Colt Stakes Association, which helped us in our approach to Government. As a result the grant was increased to $4,000 and the purses rose accordingly. Our nominations reached an all time high of 272, which further added to our purses such that we paid out $10,427 for our stakes races – more than double our previous best. The executive had a supper meeting at which we presented plaques of recognition to past President Bill Gillespie and retiring secretary Ida Sudsbury for their long years of service to the Club. I am pleased to have Dr Blair Kelly as Secretary to assist me in my task as President as we try to continue to move our organization forward.” Race Highlights Kimmys Whim became a repeat winner of the Colt Stakes by winning both dashes of the four-year-old stake for driver Ralph Annear. Glengyle Byrd won both dashes of the three-year-old colts to give Jim MacGregor his third Colt Stakes triumph in three years, and he would add another one with Heaths Birthday in the three-year-old trot, with both horses owned by Bluebell Farms. Joppas Derby Maid earned yet another Colt Stakes win for breeder Dr George Bishop giving him a record-tying seven such victories. JDJ and HMR both had short names but both were long on talent as they provided Garry MacDonald with a Colt Stakes double, winning the four-year-old pace and the two-year-old pace respectively. Personalities Ron MacArthur was President of the PEI Harness Racing Club from 1974 until it changed into the PEI Colt Stakes Association in 1977. He ran a successful photography business in Summerside but harness racing was his passion. He and his wife Bernie established Bermac Farm and quickly produced a Colt Stakes winner in Bermac Norma in 1976, a year in which he was also President. He guided the Colt Stakes through incorporation and the establishment of the first yearling sale and then turned his interest to training and driving. Now based in Maryland, he continues to train young horses and is the senior Past President of the PEI Colt Stakes Association.

August 1974 - Charlottetown 4 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $1,863 JDJ (Gary MacDonald) 2 of 2 dashes Winning Owners – Jake &Jamie Kennedy, Ch’town Best Time – 2:09.3 4 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $984 Kimmys Whim (Ralph Annear) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Hal Hennessey, Montague Best time – 2:17 3 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $2,440 Glengyle Byrd (James MacGregor) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owners – Bluebell Farms, Summerside Best time – 2:09.3

3 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $1,127 Heaths Birthday (James MacGregor) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Bluebell Farms, Summerside Best time – 2:18.3

2 Year Old Pace Futurity Purse - $2,322 H M R (Gary MacDonald) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Wendall Buell, Charlottetown Best time – 2:14

2 Year Old Trot Futurity Purse - $1,486 Joppas Derby Maid (Don MacNeil) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Dr George Bishop, Charlottetown Best time – 2:25

Kimmys Whim in a portrait by a family member.

Bernie and Ron MacArthur

RAISE A COLT

1975

From The Minutes – A Blair Kelly – Secretary “A discussion arose, once again, concerning the dropping of the four-year-old stakes and replacing them with filly divisions of the two and three-year-olds. Alyre Pineau suggested that we adopt single dash events and add the filly divisions. By majority vote the members present decided to drop the four-year-olds, have separate filly races where possible, but to keep the double dash format for now. Richard MacPhee proposed that a breeder’s trophy be presented to the breeder of a stakes winner. It was agreed that the directors would contact local banks as possible sponsors.” Race Highlights Glowing Wayvue won both dashes of the three-year-old colt stake for Phil Pinkney driving and owner Walthen Piers for the first of many Colt stake winners for both connections. Glengyle Robin was the first of three winners bred by the Bluebell Farms of Summerside. She won the three-year-old filly pace and was followed into the winners circle by Glengyle Eagle and Glengyle Mynah who took the two-year-old pacing colt and filly classes respectively. Glengyle Mynah gave long time member Doug Hill his second Colt Stakes win as an owner. Lorneville Boy and Slapshot Genessee claimed double dash wins in the three-year-old and two-year-old trot stakes respectively, the latter being Alyre Pineau’s first Colt Stakes win with a trotter. Personalities Walthen Piers of Pugwash, Nova Scotia, is one of the most successful owners in the history of the PEI Colt Stakes. His eight victories came as an owner, and they were usually horses that he paid well for at the annual yearling sales. His best horse was the triple Colt Stakes winner and Maritime Champion Kilkerran Fury, who dominated the stakes circuit in the Maritimes and went on to be one of the best aged horses in the Maritimes winning seventy-four times, earning over $230,000 lifetime in the 1980s, and with a record of 1:57 taken at Truro. He also bought the full brother, Kilkerran Ingle, who made over $125,000 and was also a PEI Colt Stakes winner. He had success as a breeder too, as his filly W P Countess set a Colt Stakes two-year-old filly record in 1980, a year in which he also claimed the three-year-old pacing colt trophy with Sunrise Cagney.

August 1975 - Charlottetown 3 Year Old Colt Pace Purse - $1,600 Glowing Wayvue (Phil Pinkney) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owners – Walthen Piers, Pugwash, NS Best time – 2:14 3 Year Old Filly Pace Purse - $1,800 Glengyle Robin (Frank Daniels) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owners – Roland MacLeod, Truro, NS Best time – 2:15.2 3 Year Old Trot Purse - $1,127 Lorneville Boy (Leigh O’Brien) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Alex Gillis, NS Best time – 2:17.3 2 Year Old Colt Pace Purse - $1,750 Glengyle Eagle (James MacGregor) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Bluebell Farm, Summerside Best time – 2:23 2 Year Old Filly Pace Purse - $1,790 Glengyle Mynah (Francis MacIsaac) 1 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Doug Hill, Charlottetown Best time – 2:23 2 Year Old Trot Purse - $1,280 Slapshot Genessee (Alyre Pineau) 2 of 2 Dashes Winning Owner – Adrien Pineau, ON Best time – 2:27.2

Kilkerran Ingle with driver Emmons MacKay and breeder Doug Ferguson

Kilkerran Fury with owner Walthen Piers, groom Tammy MacKay and breeder Doug Ferguson

Kilkerran Gem, a winner in 1988 owned by Walthen Piers