Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame News

Hall of Fame Director Jim Bannon "Full of Emotion" over Gemini Win

TORONTO, August 31 – Jim Bannon, Woodbine television analyst, commentator and handicapping expert, was honoured with the 2010 Best Sports Analyst Gemini Award on Tuesday evening, for his work on last year's Queen’s Plate telecast, which aired on CBC. 

Bannon was part of the Queen’s Plate telecast that included record-breaking on-track attendance and wagering, a royal visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, with nearly 700,000 viewers tuning in to the program. 

Bannon was up against Pierre McGuire, Glen Suitor, Tracy Wilson and Kurt Browning and Jason De Vos in the voting for Best Sports Analyst. 

Receiving the Gemini, he acknowledges, ranks as one of the most meaningful moments in his career. 

"The entire experience has been humbling and overwhelming and full of emotion," said Bannon, of his Gemini Award, which celebrates the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. "The award recognizes the positive synergy which has been built between my families both here at Woodbine and at the CBC in presenting horse racing to a growing audience. The Gemini recognizes horse racing as a mainstream sport the way it is played at Woodbine.” 

Bannon was quick to acknowledge those who played a major role in his Gemini win. 

"An award such as the Gemini is a team achievement,” he said. “I want to thank my friend and on-air partner Ron MacLean and the others who contributed to the success of the telecast, including producer Jeff Pearlman and director Chris Elias."  

For those who know him best, it is a well-deserved accolade. 

“We at Woodbine are so proud of the passion and excellence that Jim brings to every broadcast,” said Andrew Macdonald, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “It is terrific to see him recognized as the best television sports analyst in 2010.” 

Author of the Woodbine Journal, a daily analysis of the thoroughbred racing cards at the Toronto oval, Bannon has enjoyed a 35-year career in broadcasting.  

A staple at the track, he has worked as a guest analyst for CBC Television on several occasions, covering the Queen's Plate, and is a director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. 

He is also an esteemed educator, having hosted hundreds of seminars across North America on handicapping horses, and having taught the Canadian Racing Officials Course for Thoroughbred racing officials at Humber College.  

Last year, Bannon, who is part of Woodbine’s Bet Night Live telecast (Mondays and Wednesdays on The Score), was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.

 

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame $20,000 Purse at Saratoga

One of the features on Alabama Stakes Day at Saratoga, August 20, 2011, was the running of The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame $20,000 Purse. Presenting the HOF blanket are from left to right Michael Veitch, Turf Columnist for The Saratogian and a member of the Election Committees of both the HOF and Sovereign Awards; Mrs. Gail Veitch, jockey Ramon Dominguez, Dr. Tim Yatcak, a member of the Canadian HOF's Election Committee, Mrs. Colleen Yatcak, Woodbine trainer Katerina Vassilieva and Tony Esposito, agent for jockey Luis Contreras, who rode Inglorious in the Alabama.

 

Fan Hanover Dead at age 33

Fan Hanover, the only filly to win the Little Brown Jug, died on August 23, 2011 at Inglewood, Ontario. She has been leading a life of well deserved retirement since producing her last foal in 2001. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living Horse Of The Year, Standardbred or Thoroughbred.

Purchased as a yearling at Harrisburg in 1979 for $20,000 by Dr. Glen Brown, the daughter of Albatross from Farm Norah was trained and driven by the late Glen Garnsey during her three racing seasons. The late Odell Short was her caretaker throughout that career. She remained in Dr. Brown’s ownership until her death.

At two, she won 16 of 19 starts, with 2 seconds and a third for earnings of $201,264. Her record at two of 1:56.4f was a new World Record. She set three track records at two and was voted Horse Of The Year in Canada.

Her three year old season saw records set with nearly every race. She won 17 of 23 starts with 3 seconds and a third, for $497,718. Her earnings are even more remarkable when it’s considered that only three of her starts carried purses of $100,000 or more. She won the Little Brown Jug in straight heats, with her 1:56.3h heat equaling the World’s Record for a filly. She also set a new World Record at The Meadows of 1:55.3f. In fact, at three, she set 14 different track records, won on 11 different tracks and set a track record on 6 of those tracks. She had 17 wins in 2:00 or better at three, more than any filly or mare in history. She was voted Horse Of The Year in both Canada and the United States.

At four, she added another 12 wins and $270,643 to end her career with 45 wins in 72 lifetime starts for $969,724. She became the fastest female of all time with her sensational 1:50.4 time trial at Lexington. She was voted the top Older Pacing Mare at four, while winning the Milton and Roses Are Red Stakes.

Fan Hanover had been inducted into both the Hall Of Fame at Goshen, New York, and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame. The richest stakes in the sport for 3 year old pacing fillies has been named in her honour by Woodbine Entertainment Group.

As a broodmare, she never re-produced her own brilliant qualities, although she left six winners with 4 in 1:57 and three winners of over $100,000.

Fan Hanover in the Hall of Fame.

 

2010 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Builder Mel Lawson Passes Away, July 27, 2011

Mel passed away peacefully on July 27, 2011 at the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario at the age of 88. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, having been married for 63 years. He is predeceased by his father Charles and his mother Grace, each from Dundas, having resided in Hamilton. He leaves behind two sons, David (Judy) and Jim (Sue), as well as daughter Dana (Ed). Mel was also the proud grandfather of: Charlie (Sarahliz), Paul, Ted, Jimmy, Brodie, Tim and Jonnie and one great-grandchild, Olivia. Remaining as well are Mel's two siblings, brother Gordon of Dundas and sister Norma (Chamberlain) from Port Stanley.

Mel was born Wednesday, February 14, 1923 in Hamilton, Ontario. He was educated at Adelaide Hoodless Public School, Central Collegiate Hamilton and The University of Toronto Faculty of Forestry, where he graduated in 1946. Throughout his school years Mel played as quarterback and punter for the University of Toronto Blues, then quarterback for the Hamilton Wildcats, winning the Grey Cup on November 17, 1943 against Winnipeg. He also played hockey for the Toronto Marlies, then coached by Harold Ballard.

In 1947 Mel married Barbara MacDonald and commenced working for his father and with his brother at Lawson Lumber, the family business, where he served consistently for 62 years, reluctantly retiring on December 17, 2008.

Throughout those many years, Mel's interests included summers at Long Point, winters in Florida and either playing, coaching or spectating at numerous sports events involving himself, his children and grandchildren. His greatest personal interest lay with the thoroughbred horse business. Mel's "Jim Dandy Stable", founded in 1964, is today regarded as one of Canada's leading racing stables. In May 2010, Mel was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Mel will be remembered by all who knew him as a true gentleman, a man of principle, strong ethics and extreme loyalty. He was a man of tremendous strength, in mind, body and character, with a firm resolve to always try, do your best and to never, ever give up.

A private family service and interment took place on July 29. In lieu of flowers the family would respectfully ask that donations be directed either to the Toronto General Hospital or the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Barry Rubin, as well as Dr. Adam Grzeslo and their respective staffs. Also, special thanks to April Ann Reyes for her loving care and numerous expressions of kindness.

 

Family gathers to honour Mrs. Lily A. Livingston

Family, including great grandchildren and nieces, etc., of the 2011 inductee into the Legends category of the Hall of Fame, gathered to honor Mrs. Lily A. Livingston of Pontiac Stud, Cobourg, Ont., and Rancocas Stud, New Jersey. She bred two King's Plate winners and was one of the leading owners and breeders of thoroughbreds in the 1910s and 1920s. More than twenty Livingston clan members from the Cobourg and Toronto region as well as New Jersey, came with balloons and were clad in the colors of Lily's silver, blue and black racing silks to attend the wine and cheese reception in Woodbine's Hall of Fame.

In the News: One man’s curiosity is another woman’s prosperity (Allentown Examiner)

 

The Eel ("The Grey Ghost"), Honored

The Eel, known as "The Grey Ghost", was honored with his own plaque in the Hall of Fame during a 2011 Legends ceremony in May. One of the great pacing stallions of the early 1900s, The Eel set numerous world records on the ice and dirt and was the leading money winner in 1908. Louis Cauz, Managing Director of the Hall of Fame, poses with Ken and Carol Mogk of Tavistock, who represented The Eel, at the wine and cheese reception.

 

Hall of Fame Inductee William (Buddy) Gilmour, Remembered

William (Buddy) Gilmour, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, died on Monday, May 23, in hospital at Ridgeway, Ont. He was 78. The native of Lucan, Ont., began driving horses in the 1950s and captured his first race at Toronto's Dufferin Park in 1952. He went on to become one of the sport's most sought-after reinsmen. Gilmour won 5,381 races and earned more than $44 million in purses throughout his prolific career, which ended in 1990 when Gilmour was age 60. However, he continued, to continued to drive periodically in special events until 2003. He was the regular pilot behind a number of Hall of Fame type horses, including On The Road Again, Mirror Image, Millers Scout, Follow My Star, Joie de Vie and Steinam. He was inducted into Canada's Hall of Fame in 1988. (View Buddy's profile)

 

The Day King George VI Visited Woodbine Park – May 22, 1939

Inspired by the triumph of the Hollywood Oscar Award winning film, The King's Speech, which portrayed the troublesome speech difficulties that His Majesty, King George VI, struggled with during his ascent to the throne, the Hall of Fame presents these photos of the first visit of a reigning monarch to witness Canada's historic and oldest continuously run stakes race. The photos come from the family of the late Globe and Mail publisher, C. George McCullagh, who won the 1939 King's Plate at Woodbine Park.

The race was run for the first time in 1860 with the blessing, patronage and a gift of fifty guineas from Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.

The slender, brown-haired man who is Canada's King looked across the high maroon dais and held out his hand. "I congratulate you. You have a great thoroughbred there." The beautiful lady in blue smiled her soft lambent smile and voiced gracious agreement. "Your horse is a real champion. He was never extended."

An owner-breeder himself, His Majesty had detected the supple chestnut colt in the post parade and asked Ontario Premier Mitchell Hepburn for the horse's name. The King's binocular were rarely off Archworth, who would streak away from the barrier when the webbing went up and maintain his searing pace, lengthening out with each stride over his straggling pursuers, to win by ten lengths. He was interested in Archworth's breeding, how much he had cost and how much he had won previously. The King laughed heartily when informed that the colt had been purchased out of sale for a mere $500. McCullagh told His Majesty that the sire was, Worthmore and the dam Archipelago.

The King also enquired of Ontario Jockey Club president A.E. Dyment as to the state of racing in Canada.

Her Majesty marveled at long lead taken and held by Archworth "Never have 1 seen a horse go out and take such a long lead and hold it," said Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as she congratulated George McCullagh upon the victory of Archworth following the running of the King's Plate yesterday afternoon at Woodbine Park.

 

King's Plate Slideshow

Click on an image below to enlarge, and start the slideshow.