SC Rewind: The 24th of May

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Published: May 22, 2010 08:52 am EDT

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith takes a look back at a time when the 24th of May was the unofficial start of the harness racing season in Canada.

Years ago, the date of May 24th had special significance for several reasons; no circle was needed on the calendar, everybody just knew. It was an important date for farmers as certain crops had to be planted by that "magical" date in order to insure a bountiful harvest. Home
gardeners held off planting the most sensitive of vegetables and herbs to be sure that all fear of frost had passed. There was even another observance at this time of year as it was the unofficial time for the old time folks to shed their "long undies" or "bull woolies".
Following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, it was officially designated as a Canadian Holiday, hence the name we know it by today. Many of us recall it also referred to as simply "Firecracker Day".

In the world of harness racing it often marked the official date of the commencement of serious racing . All of the winter blahs were long passed, the tracks were in good spring condition and it was time to "get on with the show". The talk that had taken place all winter was now replaced with action. Some horsemen advocated shorter races, like just half mile dashes, so early in the season. Many communities across the land staged their annual 24th of May race days and there were some good ones. Large crowds attended and local horsemen invariably put on
a good show.

It is important to remember that the promotion, organization and actual staging of these race days were done mainly by volunteers often called "The Turf Club" of the community. These people were energetic, hard working folks, many of whom may have had some connection with horses or at least a "love" of the sport. Their "pay" came in the form of drawing large crowds, seeing satisfied horsemen and witnessing good racing. The sport owes a debt of gratitude to these hardy souls who kept harness racing alive through a lot of tough times.

Eventually by about the late 1960's things had changed. With the advent of racing under the lights, more horses going to the U.S. to race, plus just the passage of time, the once popular tradition of the 24th of May racing faded into oblivion. Like many aspects of our sport's past, things are gone but not forgotten.

Traditionally, many towns across the land held races on the weekend of the 24th of May. Listed below are some of the places and a commentary that may have accompanied them as most often the happenings were written up in local papers as well as the racing journals. At least a few of the names have to be familiar yet today.

May 24, 1950 - Uxbridge. Ont. - Twelve heats of racing were held here with a good crowd on hand. Wanda Harvester was a two heat winner, finishing second in the third heat for owner Roy Jeffries of Waubaushene and driver Roy Lawson. Driver of the day was James Somerville of Orangeville who won four races this afternoon.

May 24, 1950 - North Sydney, N.S. - A dozen races were held here today with all heats contested at 1/2 mile. An outstanding performance was put in by Skippers Pride winning all three heats for owners Cleary and Hunt with Harley Harrison driving. Driver Mike Jabalee was the driving
ace, winning a total of 6 heats.

May 24, 1951 - New Hamburg, Ont. - Duncan Campbell of Ailsa Craig, Ont. was in mid-season form here winning a total of seven heats on today's early season race day. Dunc's two sons assist their father and both have already driven in many races over the past six or seven years;
Jack turns 20 next month. The senior Campbell won with three horses from his own stable and also drove Miss Corporal Grattan for owner Elmer Cunningham to notch two more victories. Young Ron McGee, a 16-year-old driver from Goderich, made his first ever start today behind trotter Joe Bunter finishing 3-2 in a mixed field of both gaits.

A few other locations known for races held on the May 24th holiday.

Ontario - Aylmer, Sarnia, Collingwood, Colborne, Spencerville

Quebec - Sorel, St. Leonard D' Aston

Saskatchewan - Fort Qu'Appelle, Gull Lake,

Nova Scotia - Sackville

Manitoba - Wawanesa

Alberta - High River

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