This week on Rewind, Robert Smith reflects on some of the notable figures and happenings from the 1930s as part of our ongoing series Years Ago. It’s hard to believe this was nearly a century ago. Nevertheless, there was plenty happening in the harness racing scene during that time.
1935 – Grand Circuit Comes to Thorncliffe Park in Toronto
An article from the January 1936 issue of Hoof Beats noted: “A thrilling scene unfolded in the fast trot at Toronto (Thorncliffe Raceway). Vansandt led with Mary Reynolds alongside; Kashmary followed closely, and Angel Child raced wide on the outside. The second horse in front was driven by Sep Palin, known for driving Greyhound.”
Two weeks of top-notch racing took place at Thorncliffe Track, wrapping up on July 26. Almost all of the leading Grand Circuit stars from major U. S. stables competed throughout the event. Many traveled by railcar, marking a significant achievement for Canada to host Grand Circuit racing.
The stables belonging to prominent trainers like Vic Fleming, Tom Berry, Sep Palin, Doc Parshall, and others displayed their best horses across all G. C. events. Several Canadian drivers were also active; names such as Cliff Chapman, Harold Wellwood, Billy Lawson, Harold Currie, and Cy Feathers appeared frequently in race summaries. The two-year-old filly Rosalind drew attention by winning three out of four races.
1936 – Strathroy Race Day Celebrates Success
A shot of Strathroy’s grandstand filled with fans during the annual Dominion Day Picnic (Photo courtesy of D. B. Weldon Library – University of Western Ontario, London). On July 1, 1936 – A huge crowd arrived well before post time at Strathroy Fairgrounds for Dominion Day festivities. The annual “Picnic,” held here since 1919, continued its tradition every year thereafter. The extended race day featured four races with each having three heats. Each race offered a purse of $400-somewhat higher than many other local meets. The popular three-year-old event ended with two winners; Larry Grattan took two heats after finishing second in his first attempt while owned by Gordon Knights from Blenheim. Dillinger Grattan also won under Lindley Fraser from Forest, Ont. Race organizer Harold Currie and his son Len were the only ones to win all three heats that day when Harold drove his impressive mare Trixie G., who clocked her best time at 2:11 among six starters. The fastest mile that day was recorded at 2:09 1/2 by Grattan Axworthy owned by Walter Booth from Delhi. This well-known racing venue continued hosting top-class races annually until it ceased operations in 1964 after many years attracting thousands each season. 1937 – Unique Event Occurs During Tillsonburg Race Day The image below was featured in the August 9, 1937 edition of Canadian Sportsman magazine when photographs were still quite rare inclusions back then. It depicted what was believed to be a historic moment where three generations of one family competed within a single race.
On August 2nd that year at Tillsonburg Fairgrounds in Ontario-which felt like home for them-the renowned Tolhurst family made history competing together on the same program.
The eldest member Lovell D., known as Love had reached his late eighties while his son Fred resided in Hamilton and was forty-seven years old; completing this generational trio was twenty-four-year-old Lorne Tolhurst who would eventually achieve considerable success as both trainer and driver predominantly along competitive U. S circuits before returning back home. 1939 – Northam P. E. I.’s New Track Record Set
An overview shot capturing Northam track which hosted several memorable race days starting since its opening year-1931. July 26th saw around eighteen hundred fans come out for an afternoon filled with exceptional racing action at beautiful Northam track where Barney Hanover stole everyone’s attention breaking new ground record timing it perfectly around just over two minutes flat! Owned by C. M Alexander based out Saint John under skillful reinsmanship provided by seasoned Kensington pilot Tyndall Semple-Barney Hanover thrilled spectators leading towards wins rewarding bettors handsomely earning $17 payouts per $2 wager! A writer covering this meeting reflected upon how much Barney’s performance mirrored past greats Tollgate alongside Marjorie M., whose fame had dazzled audiences long ago.
Later announcements indicated most competitors scheduled their next appearances slated for Montague just one week later! The newspaper promotions prior emphasized once concluding races concluded attendees could stick around joining dances afterward-facilities boasted spacious dance floors capable accommodating sizeable crowds delightedly!
Courtesy of The Charlottetown Guardian archives Constructed initially back during ‘31 period made possible thanks largely due two ingenious men Edgar Milligan & George Morrison earned fortunes fox ranching finances investing into establishing something beautiful pioneering night-time racing area unfortunately tragically they passed away together vehicle accident shortly thereafter missing witnessing glory days ahead Quote For The Week – “In order to be old and wise you must first be young and stupid.” – Unknown Who Is It?
Can you guess who this man is known for remarkable accomplishments across Maritime tracks way back then?
Fellow equestrian remarked about him stating he knew more concerning horse-racing even while asleep compared against what many recognized fully awake plus driving down course itself achieving recorded victories totaling over twenty-five hundred throughout entire career (as stated biography).
Where Was It?
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A shot of Strathroy’s grandstand filled with fans during the annual Dominion Day Picnic (Photo courtesy of D. B. Weldon Library – University of Western Ontario, London). On July 1, 1936 – A huge crowd arrived well before post time at Strathroy Fairgrounds for Dominion Day festivities. The annual “Picnic,” held here since 1919, continued its tradition every year thereafter. The extended race day featured four races with each having three heats. Each race offered a purse of $400-somewhat higher than many other local meets. The popular three-year-old event ended with two winners; Larry Grattan took two heats after finishing second in his first attempt while owned by Gordon Knights from Blenheim. Dillinger Grattan also won under Lindley Fraser from Forest, Ont. Race organizer Harold Currie and his son Len were the only ones to win all three heats that day when Harold drove his impressive mare Trixie G., who clocked her best time at 2:11 among six starters. The fastest mile that day was recorded at 2:09 1/2 by Grattan Axworthy owned by Walter Booth from Delhi. This well-known racing venue continued hosting top-class races annually until it ceased operations in 1964 after many years attracting thousands each season. 1937 – Unique Event Occurs During Tillsonburg Race Day The image below was featured in the August 9, 1937 edition of Canadian Sportsman magazine when photographs were still quite rare inclusions back then. It depicted what was believed to be a historic moment where three generations of one family competed within a single race.
On August 2nd that year at Tillsonburg Fairgrounds in Ontario-which felt like home for them-the renowned Tolhurst family made history competing together on the same program.The eldest member Lovell D., known as Love had reached his late eighties while his son Fred resided in Hamilton and was forty-seven years old; completing this generational trio was twenty-four-year-old Lorne Tolhurst who would eventually achieve considerable success as both trainer and driver predominantly along competitive U. S circuits before returning back home. 1939 – Northam P. E. I.’s New Track Record Set
An overview shot capturing Northam track which hosted several memorable race days starting since its opening year-1931. July 26th saw around eighteen hundred fans come out for an afternoon filled with exceptional racing action at beautiful Northam track where Barney Hanover stole everyone’s attention breaking new ground record timing it perfectly around just over two minutes flat! Owned by C. M Alexander based out Saint John under skillful reinsmanship provided by seasoned Kensington pilot Tyndall Semple-Barney Hanover thrilled spectators leading towards wins rewarding bettors handsomely earning $17 payouts per $2 wager! A writer covering this meeting reflected upon how much Barney’s performance mirrored past greats Tollgate alongside Marjorie M., whose fame had dazzled audiences long ago.
Later announcements indicated most competitors scheduled their next appearances slated for Montague just one week later! The newspaper promotions prior emphasized once concluding races concluded attendees could stick around joining dances afterward-facilities boasted spacious dance floors capable accommodating sizeable crowds delightedly!
Courtesy of The Charlottetown Guardian archives Constructed initially back during ‘31 period made possible thanks largely due two ingenious men Edgar Milligan & George Morrison earned fortunes fox ranching finances investing into establishing something beautiful pioneering night-time racing area unfortunately tragically they passed away together vehicle accident shortly thereafter missing witnessing glory days ahead Quote For The Week – “In order to be old and wise you must first be young and stupid.” – Unknown Who Is It?
INSTANT CASH – Can you identify where this photo originated ? Once upon time gamblers ran low cash needing rely friends quickly or simply return home-by now however people began tapping bank accounts keeping losing streaks alive-or perhaps getting lucky !
(Robert will post correct answers here via comment section shortly.)
Blast From The Past
During Great Depression times fuel prices rose high causing struggles numerous individuals particularly those living deep south United States modifying vehicles removing fronts hitching horses mules instead creating what termed ‘Hoover Carts’ named after president blamed economic downfall.
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