Published: April 28, 2009 10:09 am ET

Last Comment: April 28, 2009 10:58 am ET | 1 Comment(s) | Jump to Comments

It was today announced that star standardbred driver John Campbell is one of seven individuals that will be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame during a gala dinner, which will take place November 3, 2009 in Toronto.

Campbell will join kayaker Caroline Brunet, hockey greats Mark Messier and Angela James and ex-CFL and NFL quarterback Warren Moon. Ex-CFL player, coach and team general manager Hugh Campbell along with CIS coach Ken Shields will be inducted into the Hall's builder category.

Campbell is widely recognized as standardbred racing's all-time greatest driver. Harnessing the wisdom of three generations of Campbell horsemen, he recorded his first victory at age 17 over Western Fair Raceway.

In 1983, Campbell became the first driver to top $6 million in purses in a single season. By 1991 he became the first to record over $100 million (U.S.) in lifetime purses. Ten years later, Campbell became the first, and still only, reinsman to hit the $200 million mark. He currently has driven the winners of over $263 million in purses.

A brilliant tactician, Campbell excelled in premier stakes races as evidenced by 42 Breeders Crown victories. He won his 10,000th race in 2008.

(With files from Canada's Sports Hall of Fame)