SC Rewind: Jiggs McFadden

Writer Robert Smith takes a look back at a bygone era when the sport of harness racing moved from town

to town.

Among the busiest and most successful catch drivers of the day was Dresden native Levi "Jiggs" McFadden, a man always in demand wherever he travelled. In addition to tending to his farm, he trained and drove some of the best horses on the Ontario circuit throughout his lengthy career which began with his first drive in 1933 at the Bothwell, Ont. track at the tender age of 18. His son Ted McFadden is still a trainer and familiar face at many Ontario tracks following in his late father's footsteps.

The year was 1955; night racing had yet to come to Ontario. Racing opportunities were scarce and crammed into a fairly small window of opportunity. Small towns across the province staged their annual or semi-annual race meets, often coinciding with fall fairs, holiday weekends, town celebrations or just on dates that were traditionally observed by a day of racing. It was often a day that caused a community to set aside whatever else was going on and literally everyone headed for the races.

Old photographs reveal that most of the ladies were well dressed to attend the races and many of the men were attired in white shirts and ties. While the purses offered were often small, it was not unusual for local merchants to offer gifts and prizes to winning owners and drivers. Perhaps one of the most generous of all was the Koehler Furniture Co. of Stratford, who often presented race winners with upholstered sofas and chairs.

During the 1955 season Jiggs visited the following tracks, listed in no particular order: Goderich, Ridgetown, Alvinston, Strathroy, New Hamburg, Stratford, Petrolia, Bothwell, Melbourne, Dresden, Rodney, Parkhill and Tillsonburg. This busy schedule also included a couple of extended stays at Toronto's Old Woodbine as well as many trips to Montreal where he often drove at the Blue Bonnets track. I would venture a guess that there would not be a small town track within his range that he did not grace with his presence at some time.

Unlike many who preceded him, McFadden's career eventually encompassed more prosperous times. He was fortunate enough to be well poised for the advent of night racing, Sires Stakes and the improved purses and racing conditions that ensued.

Although he drove many good horses during the 1955 season his best two were Richard Hal D., winner of that year's Canadian Pacing Derby and the roan Clark Herbert, both owned by Brantford auto dealer Vern Evans. There were even times where they faced each other and another driver was pressed into service.

"Jiggs" McFadden will be forever remembered by those who knew him or even those who have heard his famous nickname recalled as stories of yesteryear are told. His memorable nickname was once the subject of a controversy at the Old Woodbine track in Toronto during the 1950's as racing officials balked at listing his nickname on the program, citing that only a driver's properly listed given name on their license was to be displayed. Regardless of the ruling or its outcome, his nickname and his lifetime of accomplishments live on.