A Chronicle of Past Glories at Border Town Oval
Amherst Raceway - One Of The First In N.S.
by Jim Hawley
The border town of Amherst, Nova Scotia, was named after Jefferey Amherst (1717 - 1797), leader of the
successful Louisbourg expedition in 1758 and the ultimate conqueror of Canada in the Seven Years War.
Few, if any Canadian towns with a population of about 10,000 can boast of having the distinction of being
the home of four Fathers of Confederation, plus a former Prime Minister of Canada.
Amherst has been the home of many famous sports personalities and was (and still is) a hotbed of a
small, but courageous group of people dedicated to the sport of standardbred horse racing.
The following is a very brief and incomplete attempt to document some of the many highlights of racing in
this historic town.
Sensational Match Race on Opening Day, July 11, 1876
Frank Allison in a 2:36 record trot mile.
The original Amherst track, wherever it was located, would appear to have opened on this afternoon as
the second public track for organized standardbred racing in Nova Scotia.
On that opening card, the Wallace monthly lists two classes, a free-for-all match race and the 3:00 class.
In the 3:00 class Dr. Jenkins' Abdallah Maid trotted in 2:50, 2:58 and 2:51 for her owner and driver.
A match race between the Bible Hill - based trotter Frank Allison, sired by Simpsons Blackbird and the
bay mare Nellie T Horne was an exceptional one.
The late J. C. Mahon, a liquor merchant, and Truro Raceway's first race secretary, was the owner of
Frank Allison at this time. The late A. L. Slipp, a master mechanic and an outstanding driver of that
period, was his driver that afternoon.
Frank Allison won after four heats with the best time being a mile trotted in 2:36 for a track record
performance. This famous trotter, appearing at Amherst at this date, would be front page news locally.
A year later, at Truro, Frank Allison would win a two - day dust duel of 9-heat duration. It would also
feature two dead-heats in the bargin.
Was that some sort of world record at that time, in 1877?
This writer is inclined to think so. (USTA historians, please help us out here.)
October 9, 1884 - dead heat is free-for-all trot in 2:38 1/4
On this particular card, a dead heat for win took place between Long John, driven by J. A. Leaman and
Dean Swifty, driven by P. S. Brown in 2:38 1/4. The race went four heats and was eventually won by
Wormwood, driven by A. L. Slipp of Truro.
There was also a dead-heat the previous day between a horse called Jim driven by W. Hodge and Abe
Jones, driven by R. C. Sharp, the eventual race winner after a six-heat duel.
Early Stakes Races
In 1891, Maritime stake races were held at the Amherst track with two, three and four-year-old Maritimebred trotters displaying their speed.
Amherst, Charlottetown, Moncton and Halifax were four old-time tracks that always seemed to promote
local trotters, but of course there were others also at this period.
October 15, 1891
Sir Richard, a yearling, trots without a single break in 1:35 for a Nova Scotia record for a Maritime-bred
yearling at a half-mile distance.
The practise of giving half-mile records to yearlings was continued until the 1920's before it was finally put
to a halt for very good reasons. Trying to set yearling records ruined many a potentially good trotter in
those early days.
Aug. 25 - 26, 1893 Parkside, after 7 heats and two days, in a Maritime trot record of 2:24 1/4
Parkside, a bay trotting stallion by Clay, won a seven-heat affair that took two days to complete. His
summary was 1-2-1-2-3-3-1.
The final heat on Aug. 26, 1893 was in an amazing 2:24 1/4, a Maritime record for he and his driver
Houghton.
Brazilian (a one-time Canadian champion for J. C. Mahon of Bible Hill) and Stranger each won two heats
in this torrid battle reported by the local papers to have been "the best field of trotters ever assembled" in
Atlantic Canada. Only three horses answered the starter for the seventh heat.
August 23 - 24, 1895 Pilot Junior wins at Amherst Park in 2:21 in a Maritime trot record and in a sixth
heat.
It was a miracle mile at that time and an amazing one as the black Maritime-bred stallion (later renamed
Special Blend) defeated the then sensational performers Israel, Stranger and CPR, in the sixth heat in
2:21 flat. His sire was Black Pilot, 230 1/4, a rather famous P.E.I. based standardbred trotter of that
period.
This horse once held several Maritime trotting records and was a great favorite with old-time race fans for
his amazing finishes.
Aug. 21, 1896 Daisy Cunningham wins after 6 heats for owner Hon. A. B. Etter of Amherst.
A. B. Etter was a famous local breeder and owner of horses at Amherst. We have not done extensive
research on this famous man, but would be happy to know anything interesting about this Amherst
pioneer horse breeder. If any of our older readers could help out, please do so.
The other pioneer name that keeps coming up in the literature is the late J. R. Lammy, breeder of Minota,
a Maritime champion of her day and our first horse to ever beat 2:20 in a race in the Maritime provinces.
(Any old pictures would be pf great historic interest for the writer.)
Amherst-bred and owned trotter Minota writes turf history at the CDP.
Minota, a bay mare owned and bred by J. R. Lamy of Amherst broke the 2:20 Maritime trot barrier in a
race at the Charlottetown Driving Park on September 22, 1897 as she trotted the 5th heat in 219 1/4 in
the $300 free-for-all trot that took seven heats to produce a race winner. Fractions for the historic mile
were :34, 108, 1:47 and 219 1/4 with the Amherst mare leading all the way.
Next day, Sept. 23, Warren Guy won the final two heats of the 7-heat battle, trotting also in 219 1/4 to
become the second horse to smash the 2:20 barrier in a race.
Aug 29-30, 1900
Maritime-bred Lina Belle defeats the creme of Maritime free-for-all trotters. Minota, Arch Light and
Parkland in sensational $500 free-for-all in 2:20 1/4 - 2:20 1/2 - 2:20 1/4 for J. LaRouche of Quebec.
The Potters, a chestnut pacing mare by Actury, paces in 2:25 for a pacing record at Amherst.
Rock Farm Grace wins a 7-heat race with a final summary of 8-6-8-6-1-1-1.
This race saw three other heat winners. What a remarkable finish after such a dismal first four heats for
the brown mare.
The Great $1,000 Race
It has been the talk of the provincial sporting world for weeks and after several postponements it finally
materialized at the Amherst Driving Park on the sunny afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 13, 1900.
According to the Acadian Recorder and the late turf scribe Jimmy Power: "Never in the history of Nova
Scotia has so much money been wagered on a horse race - $25,000 or more".
The Amherst press reported "that fully $30,000 changed hands on the result of the match race and that a
Quebec alderman is said to have lost $2,000 on Lina Belle".
Out they came to do battle with the fans and the bettors wildly cheering them on.
Ferron, 2:21 1/2, a brown trotting stallion by Alberton, owned by N. R. Nelly of Bridgetown N.S. with his
driver Gibbons; and Lina Belle, 2:19 1/4, the little bay trotting mare by Brazilian, owned by J. A. LaRouche
of Quebec and teamed by Bigouette.
The mare was Maritime-bred having been raised by J. C. Mahon, the first Truro race secretary. She had
won at the Halifax Exhibition in 1899 and 1900 and had endeared herself to many local race fans.
The Amherst sports generally had wagered on the mare with most of the Halifax money on the stallion.
Most bets were at even odds.
Lina Belle won the first heat after Ferron broke while he was in the lead. The margin of victory was 3/4
lengths in a 2:20 1/4 mile. The majority of the big crowd cheered wildly.
The second race was a close heat and beautiful sight as the both trotted without a break. The stallion won
in 2:21 breaking his own personal standard.
They trotted another classic heat without a break in the third heat with Ferron winning again in 2:22 1/4.
Out they came for the fourth heat and Ferron broke stride at the quarter pole with Lina Belle taking a long
lead at the half. She then went on the run and the game stallion caught up with her to trot on even terms.
The crowd was wild with excitement.
At the three-quarter pole, Ferron went "into the air" and it looked like the mare was a sure winner, but
Ferron came back onto the trot quickly and in a dramatic stretch drive passed her as they came under the
wire in 2:23 1/4.
Even the losers agreed the next day it had been a "classic trotting match - mare versus stallion".
The track management planned another event and the Amherst fans and bettors were allowed time to
heal their pride and pocketbooks.
Oct. 26, 1900
Lina Bella, Ferron and Warren Guy in $300 Match Race.
Thirteen short days later they were at it again at the old driving park.
This time a wise management decided to add another horse to even out the betting. He was another trot
stallion, Warren Guy, a great one at that: a Maritime champion driven by the late Harry Lydiard.
In a sensational race were Lina Belle won the first, Ferron the second and Warren Guy the third, the little
Maritime-bred mare prevailed after five heats with the final ones in 2:24 and 2:25.
It was reported that some of the Amherst fans wept with joy at her victory and huge sums of money were
reported to have changed hands.
In reading the Acadian Recorder accounts of the next few days, I was struck with horror at the final
outcome.
Lina Bella died a short time later. It was believed that she was poisoned. The Amherst race fans offered a
big reward for any information, but I was unable to determine if anything further was discovered about this
bizarre event.
Aug. 27 - 28, 1901
Harry Lyiard wins 4 heats of 2:30 class with his sensational trotter Border, the fastest 2:20.
The $300 free-for-all pace was won by Ben F in a track record time of 2:19 1/4. Ben F becomes the first
pacer at Amherst ever to break 2:20 in a race.
Aug. 28, Amherst-bred and owned Minota, Atlantic Canada's first 2:20 or better trotter, wins 5-heat freefor-all in amazing 2:18 1/2.
This famous Maritime-bred trotter, sired by Sir Nutwood, this becomes the first trotter to break 2:20 at
Amherst Racetrack.
Aug. 28, 1903
Sensational free-for-all pace won by Helen R, a bay mare by Redfield.
Pacing Records cracked three times in one day.
The Maritime champion mare Helen R bested a five-horse field of free-for-allers and set three track
records of 2:19 1/2, 2:19 and 2:18 1/4 before record crowds.
Amherst's first 2:15 mile
A huge crowd congregated at the old Amherst track on the sunny afternoon of Sept. 5, 1904.
There were two classes on that historic afternoon and they raced for a total purse of $600, the 2:30 trot
and pace and the free-for-all.
In the 2:30 class, Rita M, a bay pacing mare sired by the famous Maritime stallion Isreal, won a tough 4heat battle in 2:23 1/2, 2:21 1/4, 2:21 1/2, and 2:21.
But the fans had come to see the free-for-all race that featured three famous stars on that day. They were
at the time the three fastest pacers ever to appear at the Amherst track.
The small but select field included the sensational 11-year-old bay gelding Phebon W, 208 1/4, owned by
W. J. Gurbush of West Newton, Mass. and driven by C. Bailey: the bay mare Simassie, 208 1/2, owned
by R H. Edwards of Halifax and handled by the popular and talented Frank Boutilier and Helen R., 208
1/2, racing out of the Springhill stables under the command of Fred Warren, her driver, Helen R was the
holder of the Maritime Provinces pacing record of 2:15 1/4 set in 1903.
Phebon W had recently paced the nearby Springhill cinder track in 2:16 1/4 - 2:16 1/2 - 2:17 and had just
shipped in from Moncton where on August 27th he had paced in 2:13 1/2, 2:14 1/4 - 2:14 1/4, the fastest
three-heats ever recorded east of Montreal at that time.
He was the new Maritime pacing champion as a result of the 2:13 1/2 effort at Moncton and was frontpage news in every local newspapers.
Out they came to do battle on this warm September afternoon.
According to local press reports it was a sensational race with the old bay gelding narrowly defeating the
two classy mares in 2:16 1/4 - 2:15 - 2:15. The old track pacing record of 2:18 1/4 was shattered in every
heat, with the 2:15 mile being a pacing record for Nova Scotia.
As we mentioned in a previous article on this great horse Phebon W, he would set the Maritime turf world
on fire in 1904. He would pace into the record books at Halifax, Saint John, Chatham, and every track
where he would appear that year.
At Chatham, N.B. 9,000 fans would see him pace in 2:12 for a Maritime pacing record - an amazing mile
for that year (1904).
He would meet and defeat the creme of Maritime free-for-all stars and win 24 heats before returning over
the U.S. border that fall.
So Phebon W, the wonder horse of 1904 - 1905 goes into the record books as far as Amherst is
concerned as the first standardbred horse ever to pace in 2:15.
In 1905 there were some sensational heats at Amherst, especially on the afternoon of July 29th.
It took five heats to decide a winner in the 2:23 class with Daisy Dewitt, a bay mare by Red Lake, the
eventual winner.
On that same afternoon, the $300 free-for-all took five heats to complete before the popular Simassie and
driver Frank Boutilier won the match race over her old rival Czarina, the chestnut pacing mare sired by
Czar. Times were 2:17 1/4, 2:18 1/4, 2:20 1/2, 2:22 3/4 and 2:25.
These times may seem laughable by today's standards but they can only be judged in their historic
content (of 1905) and they were excellent under the prolonged and seemingly endless scoring system,
the heavy bikes and harness of that era, plus the slow and heavy conditions.
Two additional meets were held in 1905, on Sept 4th and 9th for total purse money of $1,600, excellent
for that era.
On Sept. 4, the sensational Maritime-bred pacer Ada Mac, owned and bred by the late W. B. Bowness of
Summerside appeared at the Amherst track, but was not a winner on that occasion in a five-heat race.
On Sept. 9, two classes featured large fields of eight horses with the pacers Will Be Sure and Valmore
winning their respective classes after hard heats.
1906 - 1924 No Racing Held at Amherst Racetrack
For reasons yet unknown to this writer, there were no official race results from Amherst in the Wallace
year books for this period. There were several local breeders and race horses owned locally but there
does not appear to have been organized public racing at Amherst during this period.
Perhaps some older residents of Amherst could explain the reason why. Please contact the writer,
anytime.
Grand Opening of New Amherst Track May 25, 1925
The present day Amherst track appears to have opened on May 25, 1925 with half - mile heats that
afternoon.
Pansy Aubrey, a chestnut mare sired by the Nova Scotia Agriculture College's famous sire Captain
Aubrey, 2:07 1/4, won in 1:12, 1:10 and 1:10 for driver Capt. Bill Latta.
Latta's name is a rather famous one with the late William Latta having been the one-time breeder of the
famous "L" horses of 1930 - 1940 era.
The "L" horses were bred and raised at nearby River Herbert and some of them were Aaron L. Buzz L,
Direct L, and Happy L, all full brothers sired by Bill L (by Captain Aubrey).
One of the late great Joe O'Brien's first tasks was to break and team most of Latta's stock in 1936. Happy
L, 2:03 1/2, would become the most famous one under the guidance of the late Hall Of Famer Earle
Avery.
Track Records Smashed
Track pacing records were broken by Marie Forbes and Miss Atlantic during two days of racing, July 10 11, 1925. The trot record was smashed by Silver Belle and driver Currie.
Jean Bingen and driver Bill Cummings cracked local pacing record and dead heats with T. J. Devlin and
driver Holmes in 2:19 1/2 in second heat.
Silver Belle trots in 2:18 1/2 - 2:18 1/4 to smash trot record for driver Currie.
On Aug. 15, Captain Carl Merriam piloted Marie Forbes to a win over a 12 - horse field while the classy
gray mare Silver Belle, driven by Ed Hennessey, smashed her own trot record in 2:16 1/2.
Peter Stratton, the bay pacing gelding by Captain Aubrey, cracked the track pacing record twice on the
same card for driver Bragg, in 2:18 1/2 - 2:18 1/4.
July 14, 1926
There was outstanding racing at Amherst in 1926 as several race meets were conducted in that particular
year.
On July 9th, Just Tramp defeated a huge field of 11 standardbreds after five long heats. The Captain
Aubrey sired mare Eileen Aubrey defeated a 10 - horse field in 2:21 1/4, 2:21 1/4 and 2:21 1/2.
On July 14th, in the 2:18 class trot or pace for $200, Peter Stratton broke the pacing record in sensational
fashion as he paced in 2:15 1/4 for owner Bill Babineau of Moncton N.B.
Captain Aubrey Day
July 8, 1931 was a most unusual day as Captain Aubrey - sired horses won all 11 heats - the entire race
card.
Dora Mac, Lynwood Aubrey, Diamond Mac and Aubrey Boy all were winners on that historic day.
On July 29, 1931, six starters were in the 2:19 trot won by Lynwood Aubrey with five of the six starters
sired by the NSAC stud.
The same afternoon, the 2:15 trot produced two track records with Johnny Walker and Peter Dawes
winning heats in 2:15 3/4 - 2:15 1/2.
On August 26, 1931, the track records were eclipsed again. Edna McKylo, set two records, 2:14 and 2:13
while Dell Volo lowered the pacing standard to 2:14.
Eula H, the beautiful roan mare by Hedgewood Lad, was sent an exhibition mile for only a purse of $75 to
see if she could set a new track standard at Amherst.
Eula H, 2:06 1/2 owned by Mrs. S. A. Walthen of Fort Fairfield, ME., and driven by the master St. Stephan
reinsman Billy Keys was sent against the watches in her quest for the track record.
The mare went a mile in 2:10 1/2!
She flirted with breaking the 2:10 barrier and gave Amherst a very respectable pacing standard.
It would be an outstanding year for the rather famous female as Eula H would set pacing records at
Charlottetown in 2:08 and pace Halifax for a provincial record of 2:08.
Old-time horsemen will remember Eula H. After an outstanding race career of seven consecutive years
where she was seldom absent from 1st, 2nd or 3rd place finishes, she entered the broodmare ranks. She
produced such outstanding offspring’s as Volo H, Mighty H, Dale H, Guy H and Scotty H.
Sept. 23, 1931
Amherst would see some exceptional racing on this day with all nine heats recorded in 2:20 or better, five
of them better than 2:15. Among the horses involved were names like Lucky Lindy, Marjorie M, Billy
Cope, Captain Muck, Aubrey The Great, Shenandoah and Peter Dawes.
First Pacer to Pace in 2:10 at Amherst.
Walter Brown, Aug. 11, 1938
Amherst fans waited for more than half a century to witness a mile in 2:10 or better.
On Aug. 11, 1938, they would be able to witness the event at the local track as management had
organized an outstanding race card for this historic afternoon. There were three classes that day, the 2:26
trot and pace; a named trot and pace and the free-for-all for a purse of $250.
Some very famous horses appeared on the card: Happy L, Hal Britton, Billy Bouden, Josie The Great,
Peter Magnus, Dudley Patch, John Dean and Walter Brown, to mention a few.
Happy L, the future Maritime-bred star who was just starting a racing career that would see him rise to
spectacular heights under the capable hands of Earle Avery, was here that day and won in 2:17 and 2:14
1/2 for owner Fred Robichaud of Moncton.
Josie The Great, the aged pacing sensation of that time in Les Bickerton's Amherst stable, won a dash for
Johnny Conroy in 2:13 1/4.
A few weeks later she and Johnny Conroy would pace into the Maritime record books at Woodstock in
2:06 1/2 to set a record for Maritime-bred aged mares that would stand for almost two decades.
The free-for-all that day was won in three straight heats by the chestnut gelding Walter Brown, 2:05 1/4, a
son of Martinique. He and Tom Etter defeated an outstanding field that included Bud Wenger, Signal
Senator, Dolly Azoff, Marione Brooke and John Dean. The times were 2:11 1.2, 2:10 - 2:13 1/2.
The magic 2:10 mile was now history at Amherst.
Future World Champ
On July 10, 1940, Dudley Patch, the grand old warrior sired by Gilbert Patch, won over a seven-horse
field of free-for-allers in 2:14, 2:11 3/4 and 2:12.
Two years later under the talented hands of Joe O'Brien, Dudley would simply be such a consistent
winner that he would run out of competition down East and have to head for Toronto where he would set
a world record of 1:10 1/2 for a five-eighth mile distance.
He broke a bone and had to retire, but he rang up approximately 100 career heat wins.
Also in 1940, Jane Azoff, 1:59 1/2, a world class former Grand Circuit mare, would win in 2:10, 2:12 1/2
and 2:11 1/2 for her owner C. H. Horton of Murray River, P.E.I. and driver, the late Willard Kelly. The 2:10
clocking tied the local pacing record.
Hal Britton, the famous bay trotting gelding sired by NSAC's ill-fated one-time world champion sire Great
Britton, won for the late Jack MacMillan in 2:13 for a then trot record at Amherst.
Track Records Fall as Record Crowds Attend Aug. 20, 1941 Races.
It has rained the previous night and the old oval was very fast as a record crowd turned out to witness turf
history on Aug. 20, 1941.
In three closely contested heats in the $300 free-for-all, San Ton, owned by the Halifax Driving Club,
proved to be the best in 2:08, 2:09 and 2:09 1/4. Up behind the Peter Gratton Royal-sired bay gelding that
beautiful afternoon was none other than P.E.I. farm native John Thomas Conroy or "Johnny" as every
race fan called him. The late Hall Of Famer had everything, courage, class, charisma and color. His
presence at any race meet was always a plus in those grand days of the 1940's.
The 2:08 pacing record set by San Ton and Johnny Conroy that afternoon in 1941 has stood for 46 years.
Will it be broken at the Amherst meet on Sept. 13th. Let us hope there will be "official" timers on hand.
On that same historic 1941 card, Hal Britton trotted into the record books at Amherst as Jack MacMillan
had the New Glasgow - owned trotter home first in 2:12 3/4 - 2:12 for a new trotting standard. The other
heat was won by Oakhurst Queen driven by the late Billy Hood in 2:12 3/4.
On July 1, 1942, there was a classic match race between Highland Worthy and Dudley Patch for a purse
of $175.
Highland Worthy driven by Mayor Heber Sweeney of Bridgewater, N.S. narrowly defeated the future
world champions, Dudley Patch and Joe O'Brien with a 1 - 1 - 2 summary in 2:16, 2:11 1/2 and 2:12.
Defeat for Dudley Patch would be quite infrequent in 1942 as he would be in his last year of racing under
O'Brien's tutelage, pace into the world record books with his brilliant 1:10 1/2 trip at the five-eighth mile
distance at Toronto's Dufferin Park.
The record was still standing in 1983.
Joe O'Brien's Day
On Aug. 20, 1942, Amherst fans were treated to an outstanding individual display by one Joseph Cyril
O'Brien, or Joe as he was known to race fans. He won seven of the nine heats on the card.
Joe was 1 - 1 - 1 with the New Glasgow - based Dudley Patch, 1 - 1 - 1 with the Dr. Clough - owned
gelding Peter Reamore from Inverness and 2 - 2 - 1 with the chestnut mare Emily Grattan.
As a point of interest to Truro race fans, Joe would perform even better at the Bible Hill oval that same
year. On Sept. 16 he would parade 11 heat winners on a 14 - heat card. Now that's performance isn't it?
Eleven heats contested, 11 heats won.
Millie Kalmuck, with a summary of 3 - 1 - 1, defeated a classy field of free-for-all trotters in 2:13 1/2, 2:15,
2:11 1/2 to smash the local trotting record of 2:12. This grand little Maritime-bred mare and her talented
driver Willard Kelly were popular wherever they raced. She once held several track records and her 2:08
1/2 trot mile at New Glasgow’s Union track set in 1942 is still standing in the record books.
Violent Electrical Storm Halts Assault On Track Record
Over 2,000 eager fans were in attendance on the afternoon of July 22, 1943.
Johnny Conroy won two heats of the 2:17 trot with the Bible Hill-owned Hillside Scott in 2:12 and 2:14 1/2
and Uscita Britton won for Semple in a four-horse blanket finish in 2:10 1/4.
The fans were expecting the 2:08 pacing record of San Ton would fall in the $500 free-for-all.
Johnny Conroy set the pace with San Ton in the first half and out came Happy L and the battle was on. In
a close and driving finish Nate Hanover, driven by Bob Morrison, forged ahead just before the wire to win
in 2:08, equalling the track record.
Happy L and San Ton were second and third respectively with Tracey Hanover and Victory Lee a very
close 4 - 5.
And then a sharp electric storm put an end to it all.
The judges and starter waited for more than an hour for the storm to pass over as the 2,000 fans
searched for cover from the elements wherever they could.
But it was no use that day and finally it was decided to cancel the remainder of the meet and divide the
purses according to the standings in the events which had already taken place.
Silently, the rain - drenched fans filed out, a bit soggy but happy to have witnessed a track record equalling mile by a world - champion double gaited gelding, Nate Hanover.
First 2:10 trotter
On Aug. 18, 1943, Watchim and Billy Hood went against a field of the best free-for-all pacers in the
Maritimes trotting in 2:08 1/2 and 2:11 with The Great G narrowly edging him out in 2:10 in the second
heat.
What a historic day it was for Billy Hood and his owner Alderman Frank Adams of Halifax. It would be the
first mile ever trotted in 2:10 or better at Amherst.
Watchim was a magic name to the press and money in the bank for the bettors in the 1940 - 47 period.
He retired to a successful stud career with 108 heat wins and over $9,000 in the bank. He was never
worse than 1 - 2 - 3 in 77 per cent of his 208 lifetime heats. He held about 13 track records, held the
Maritime Provinces trot record and held the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island trot
records, all at the same time.
Some of his track records, such as the one at St. Stephen in 2:06 3/4, at Bridgewater in 2:07 and 2:08 1/2
at Chatham are still on the record books since almost half a century, but the tracks in question have
passed into history.
Watchim's 2:08 1/2 trot record lives at Amherst, Still fairly respectable after 44 years.
On Aug. 19, 1943, Hal B Direct blazed to a 2:08 1/4 mile in the first heat but Jollity driven by Johnny
Conroy came back in 2:10 - 2:10 to win the race. The other free-for-all stars that raced were Nate
Hanover and Josedale Hoosier.
In 1944, several meets were held with the free-for-all races captured by Josedale Hoosier, Jollity and The
Walnut Abbe, driven by a youthful Clayton MacLeod of Westville N.S.. Josedale Hoosier's 208 1/4
clocking would be the quickest of the year at Amherst.
It was an extremely busy year in 1945 with several exciting free-for-all events taking place. Gay Law,
Josedale Hoosier, Wilkin, Mighty Hanover, Watchim, Rhea Mac and Royal At Law were the main winners
that year. One such event was for a big purse of $715 - big money for those days. There were a dozen
miles paced in 2:10 or better during the 1945 meet.
In 1946, fans watched as Watchim beat back fields of classy pacers and the appearance of C. H. Horton's
classy Anti Aircraft, winning in 2:10, 2:11 1/2 and 2:11 3/4.
The holiday card on May 24th saw Johnny Conroy and Josedale Clipper in 1 - 1 - 1 with times of 1:04 and
four-fifths, 1:06 and four-fifths and 1:06 in half - mile heats.
On July 1 -2, the track sponsored three races carrying purses of $1,000 for ordinary horses that featured
big fields.
Watchim trotted around a field of three free-for-all pacers in 2:09.1, 2:10.4, and 2:13.3 (You will note that
race times were now being calculated by one - fifth seconds).
Watchim was running out of competition and soon would depart for the Maine circuit where he would trot
in 2:06m for his lifetime mark.
There were three cards in 1948, run on July 28, Aug. 4 and Aug. 5.
In a free-for-all event for $400, Gay Law driven by Angie Allen won in 2:15.4, 2:16.1 and 2:17.2.
The End of Organized Public Racing at Amherst
The curtain had begun to fall on the historic track at Amherst in 1949. Ant it was not the only half - miler
that was in trouble.
Truro Raceway was opened under new and aggressive management with racing being staged under the
lights.
Lights were also installed at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Truro was featuring win - place and show betting, a Maritime first.
You could sense it!
Three cards were held at Amherst, on Aug. 3 - 4 and a final one on Sept. 14th, 1949.
On Aug. 3, Worrell Lewis teamed Harry Hirsh's Scott Spenser to a three heat win in 2:10, 2:11.4 and
2:12.
The final curtain fell on Sept. 14 with a 4 - class card the featured $80 in purses.
On that final afternoon, Jean Henley, a bay mare by Peter Henley, won for her owner and driver Alex
Miller of Pugwash in 2:11.2, 2:13 and 2:15.1.
Organized public racing at Amherst had come to an abrupt end.
Notes Of Interest
Shermar Alex and driver Archie Ross
On Oct. 10, 1968 at Brunswick Downs in Dieppe, N.B. Maritime - bred Shermar Alex trotted in 2:12/1h to
smash the Maritime record for two - year - old stallions by seven and three - fifth seconds. The old mark
had stood for 12 years.
Up behind the stallion on this history making occasion was the owner and driver, Mr. Archie Ross of
Amherst.
Archie Ross is the present owner of the old Amherst racetrack and its surrounding property. to the credit
of this fine gentleman is the fact that over the years he has provided a small but enthusiastic core or
Amherst - based horsemen with a local training track.
The sport is alive and well in Amherst!
Aug. 2, 1972 Sackville Downs
Six - year - old trotter Shermar Alex (Adios Larry - Miss Flicka) trotted to a Maritime record for aged
stallions in 206/4h with Dave Pinkney doing the teaming for owner Archie Ross.
Sept. 13, 1986 Dieppe N.B.
Amherst trained Rattalin Robbi finishes a close third to Angel's Shadow in 156/4f mile at Champlain
Raceway. The horse, co - owned by Wylie Gould of Amherst, Frank Balcom of Amherst, was charted in
157/2f in the sensational mile.
Aug. 11, 1987, Presque Isle, ME.
Hylynn Merry paced in 200/4 for Chuck Symes for fastest mile of the week at Presque Isle Raceway.
Sept. 13, 1987
Public racing returns to Amherst, N.S. after an absence of 38 years. Be there to see history in the making.