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 The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame rings and trophies waiting to go to the inductees. |
On Wednesday night the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame welcomed its 2025 class at an induction ceremony and dinner held at the Mississauga Convention Centre with about 400 people in attendance. There were 14 new members voted into the Hall this year, five equine and nine human. This is the 49th anniversary of the Hall of Fame which was founded in 1976. Human inductees receive a Hall of Fame ring (plaque for Legends inductees), while equine inductees' owners receive both a stall nameplate and a trophy.
A tradition at the start of the ceremony is to gather all the Hall of Fame's Honoured Members present along with the new inductees and horse connections for a group photo. They posed for a group photo then toasted the new members. Current members assembled in front while the Class of 2025 gathered on the stage.
Marketing Mix was inducted in the Thoroughbred Female Horse category. Bred in Ontario by Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro was purchased at Keeneland by Glen Hill Stable and trained by Tom Proctor. After finishing third in the Woodbine Oaks she switched to turf winning the Wonder Where, Mrs. Revere (G2), and Pucker Up (G3) at 3, then won the Nassau (G2), Dance Smartly (G2), and Rodeo Drive (G1), before finishing a close second in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at 4. At 5 she defeated males in the Sunset Handicap (G3) and then finishing a close fifth in her second Breeders' Cup try, retiring with 10 wins in 21 starts earning over $2.1 million. As a broodmare her first foal, by Tapit, sold for $1.1 million, and she produced 3 winners and 1 stakes-placed runner for Glen Hill Farm.
Muscle Mass was inducted in the Standardbred Male Horse category. After a perfect 7 for 7 season as a juvenile, including a track record at Balmoral Park, an injury early in his 3-year-old campaign sent him to stud duty. He became a leading influence in the trotting game on both sides of the border, producing 925 starters with average earnings of $96,000. His offspring include Six Pack, Plunge Blue Chip, Adare Castle, Riveting Rosie, Muscle Matters, Motown Muscle, Muscle Baby Doll, and On A Sunny Day. He stands at Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry, Ontario after earlier standing in New York. In 2024 he was Canada's leading trotting sire with his offspring earning over $9 million.
Ivan Dalos was inducted in the Thoroughbred Builder category. The native of Hungary built a successful flooring and construction business, and after being introduced to the sport of Thoroughbred racing, established his Tall Oaks Farm to become one of Canada's most respected breeding operations. One of the first horses he bred was Victory Gallop, who upset Real Quiet's Triple Crown bid in 1998, by a nose in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Purchasing local mare Silly Billie started his line of "Ami" homebreds including Secret Ami, Galloping Ami, Victorious Ami, Ami's Gizmo, and Ami's Mesa, second by a nose in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). In 2022 he was honored with the E.P. Taylor Award of Merit. His daughter Colleen, accompanying him on stage during his acceptance, is now president of Tall Oaks and an Ontario director of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society. Dalos had by far the longest acceptance speech of the night, at around 10 minutes duration!
Kent Oakes was posthumously inducted in the Standardbred Builder category, after his passing in June 2024. The native of North Wiltshire, Prince Edward Island came from a racing family and in various civil servant roles with the PEI Department of Agriculture and Department of Finance, remained deeply dedicated to harness racing in Atlantia Canada. Elected to the board of Standardbred Canada in 2010, the executive in 2013, and the chair in 2014, he worked in multiple committees including Governance/Bylaws and Government Relations. In a 30-year career he was always positive and proactive in moving the Standardbred industry forward, both in PEI and elsewherem and bred several stakes winners alongside his brother Wayne. In 2024 he posthumously received the Cam Fella Award from Standardbred Canada and the Joe Smallwood Award from the government of PEI.
Perry Winters was inducted in the Thoroughbred Jockey category. A natural athlete from Granum, Alberta in basketball and baseball, a friend suggested he had the ideal build to be a jockey. Starting with quarter horses at Alberta bush tracks, he switched to Thoroughbreds at Lethbridge, Marquis Downs, and eventually Stampede and Northlands, the "A" circuit. He rode almost 3000 winners in almost 20,000 races, placing him 195th on the all-time leading jockeys by wins in Canada. He won virtually every added-money race in Alberta including the prestigious Canadian Derby (G3) in 1993 with Cozzy Grey, and won 12 stakes aboard Chilcoton Blaze. After multiple injuries including a hip replacement he retired from riding in 2012.
Dave Briggs was inducted in the Standardbred Communicator category as one of harness racing's most respected and honoured writers. The native of Windsor, Ontario studied communications at the University of Windsor and earned his Masters in journalism at the University of Western Ontario, but the aspiring sportswriter was unfamiliar with racing despite growing up near Windsor Raceway and going to the races with friends. During his graduate work he was sent to Western Fair District for an assignment. Later he worked for the London Free Press and then spent 19 years at The Canadian Sportsman until it closed in 2013, followed by work with Canadian Thoroughbred, Hoof Beats, Horseman & Fair World, and Catena Media. He picked up 30 national and international journalism awards including a record 12 John Hervey Awards from the US Harness Writers Association. He currently works for both Ontario Racing and Harness Racing Update.
Wilma Kennedy was posthumously inducted in the Thoroughbred Legends category. The horsewoman from Winnipeg, Manitoba was a trailblazer for female participation in Thoroughbred racing in Western Canada. Born in 1910, she began her career at her local track, Polo Park, as a fearless and capable trainer. In her mid 20's she began breeding, owning, racing, and training her own Thoroughbreds, carving out a space for women in the traditionally male dominated industry. In the 40's and 50's she took her talents outside Manitoba, including to the major circuits in New York, Southern California, and Kentucky. She partnered successfully with Cleveland industrialist and philanthropist Tinkham Veale II as the principal trainer of his racing stable, training multiple stakes winner Vital Force. Later she managed breeding operations in Canada, the USA, and Europe, and was the first woman elected to the American Thoroughbred Trainers Club. Her daughter, grand-daughter, and great grand-daughter accepted her plaque at the ceremony.
Bobbe Huntress was posthumously inducted in the Standardbred Legends category. The American made a lasting impression on Canadian harness racing, celebrated for her skills as a driver. At age 19, in 1955 she drove Wee Ginger to a 6-race win streak at Connaught Park, and then set track records at Old Woodbine in 1961. She famously said “Arguments against our sex driving horses are often ridiculous,” since at the time women were only allowed to drive at dangerous, poorly maintained fair tracks but not at safer, professional circuits. She paved the way for future generations of women in harness racing. She passed away in 1998 but her impact on the sport continues to be felt. Her niece, who proudly quoting her as saying "They (male drivers) found out I don't scare easily!" and grand niece accepted her plaque.
Ghostzapper was inducted in the Thoroughbred Horse category. Bred at Adena Springs Kentucky by Frank Stronach and sent to trainer Bobby Frankel, he showed both speed and stamina, winning the Vosburgh (G1) as a 3-year-old and the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 4, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 128, one of the highest ever recorded. Entering stud duty in 2006, he was popular among Canadian breeders, producing three Queen's Plate winners -- Shaman Ghost, Holy Helena, and champion Moira, winner of the 2024 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Relocated by Stronach from Hill 'n' Dale Kentucky to Adena Springs North in Ontario, he covered a limited book in 2025 with a fee of $40,000 in likely his final year at stud. Stronach accepted his trophy and nameplate. Shortly after, his entire table departed the ceremony but left the trophy and nameplate behind. We alerted Hall executive director Linda Rainey to collect these items and hopefully get them sent to Adena Springs North where they belong!
Yankee Paco was posthumously inducted in the Standardbred Horse category. In 2000 he made history as the first Canadian bred to win the Hambletonian, in a world record time of 1:53 2/5 despite being parked out the entire race. Trained by Doug McIntosh, driven by Trevor Ritchie, and owned by the American father-and-son duo of Harry and Tom Ivey, he was named Champion 3-Year-Old Trotting Colt in the US and Horse of the Year in Canada, in a season where he won 10 of 16 starts and earned more than $1.3 million. He added wins in the Canadian Trotting Classic, American National, Simcoe Stakes, and Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final. He retired to stud with 14 wins in 25 starts, earning almost $1.5 million, and went on to sire winners of $7.7 million including stakes winner Beer Budget. He was euthanized in 2012 in Australia due to declining health. Tom Ivey said on stage as a closing remark, "We did not vote for Donald Trump! Viva Canada!"
Storm Bird was posthumously inducted in the Thoroughbred Horse category. The son of Northern Dancer, foaled at Windfields Farm in Oshawa in 1978, he was sold at auction for $1 million to Robert Sangster. Trained by Vincent O'Brien he won the National Stakes (G2) and William Dewhurst (G1) to be champion juvenile in England and Ireland. Syndicated for $30 million, he only made 1 start at 3 before retiring to Ashford Stud, and produced Storm Cat in his first crop, who went on to sire 120 stakes winners. Storm Bird also sired champions Balanchine, Indian Skimmer, and Bluebird among his 63 stakes winners, and his daughters produced 100 stakes winners including Thunder Gulch and Birdstone. He lived to age 26 and is considered one of the greatest Canadian bred racehorses and stallions of the 20th century. Noreen Taylor, daughter-in-law of breeder E.P. Taylor, accepted the trophy and nameplate.
Brad Grant was inducted in the Standardbred Builder category, following in the footsteps of his father John, inducted in this same category in 1998. The resident of Milton, Ontario raced numerous champions, crediting Apprentice Hanover for taking him to the "next level", winning 12 of 22 starts and earning over $1 million over 4 seasons for trainer Ben Wallace. His three O'Brien Award finalists in 2017 -- Stay Hungry, Sandbetweenurtoes, and Bettors Up -- all won their categories, with Stay Hungry giving him his first Breeders Crown winner. He raced Atlanta, Easy Lover Hanover, Ramona Hill, Reflect With Me, and Capt. Midnight, and most recently was a co-owner of the great Bulldog Hanover, winner of 28 of 37 starts earning almost $2.8 million as the fastest pacer of all time. He is also a member of the Milton Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to local hockey, received the January Davies Humanitarian Award from the US Harness Writers Association in 2018, and the Norman Woolworth Owner of the Year award in 2022.
Mike Doyle was inducted in the Thoroughbred Trainer category. Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, he was involved with horses early on due to his father Jack, a trainer and bloodstock agent who originally wanted him to become a veterinarian. Moving to Canada he started working at Gardiner Farms before heading to Woodbine to work for trainer Jim Bentley initially. He trained champion Bessarabian for Eaton Hall Farm, Canada's Champion Older Mare of 1986, 1989 Woodbine Oaks winner Blondeinamotel for Bill Graham's Windhaven, and 1993 American Triple Crown contender Wild Gale. He worked as Frank Stronach's racing manager for 3 years before returning to training, getting his 1000th win with Evangeline's Hope in 2014. He helped kickstart the training career of fellow Hall of Famer Josie Carroll, briefly returned to Stronach Stable, but is back to training for himself for longtime clients such as Bill Duffy.
John Bax was inducted in the Standardbred Trainer category. His career as a trotter specialist with 925 wins and almost $27 million in purse earnings started unexpectedly, when his father purchased a Peterborough property that came with 40 harness horses. He is best known as the trainer of Goodtimes, who retired as the richest Canadian-bred trotter in history with 50 wins and $2.2 million, a $19,000 yearling purchase in 1992 who went on to an 11-year career with a record 5 Breeders Crown appearances. His other standouts include Define the World, Riveting Rosie, Charmed Life, Northern Bailey, Pepi Lavec, Summer Indian, and Righteous Resolve. In 2015 he moved his stable from Peterborough to the site of Glengate Farms in Campbellville. At the end of 2022, a year when he earned almost $2 million in purses, a personal best, he retired from training, passing the business to his son Matt.
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