Brand New Racing Surface For Upcoming Meet

A lot of work has gone into a brand new racing surface, over the summer, at The Raceway. Work began shortly after the 2023-24 race meet concluded on Friday, May 31st, with the popular Camluck Classic Night event - which featured one of the largest crowds in recent memory in attendance.

Work crews have been resurfacing The Raceway's track throughout the summer months.

Hellabalou would ship in to win Canada’s richest race, on a half-mile track for aged pacers, in 1:51.1. The victory would be trainer Ron Burke’s fifth win of London’s signature race after scoring with Rockin Ron in 2018, plus he’d win three straight, from 2010 to 2012, with Won The West and two-time champion Foiled Again.

Hellabalou wins the Camluck Classic presented by Seelster Farms.

For driver Louis-Philippe Roy it would mark his third signature race win, in London, after teaming Jimmy Freight to a 1:50.2 track record for stallions in 2022 and his memorable romp aboard Rockin Ron who still holds the current 1:50.1 overall track record.

Track records are not a common occurrence, at The Raceway, being a winter track for the most part (racing October through May), but on May 21st The Great Reset would set the overall trot mark of 1:55.3, with Jason Ryan up, for the connections of Lorne House and Chantal Ruijs. Kudos to our track superintendent, Doug Lilley and his team, on doing a wonderful job looking after things all year round.

The Great Reset following his track record win. 

Dorchester Downs Training Centre

Western Fair Association (WFA) now owns and operates the Dorchester Downs Training Centre located in Dorchester, Ontario, on the outskirts of London. The beautiful 49-acre property boasts a 5/8’s mile track, features two barns with 100 stalls and is the home of some of the region's largest stables.

The Western Fair Association has enjoyed a longstanding commitment to harness racing in Ontario. The Raceway’s site, formerly known as Salters Grove and later named Western Fair Raceway, was the first in Canada to conduct night time racing in 1961 and was the scene of harness racing legend John Campbell’s first driving win in 1972.

In 2022, the Western Fair Association took over ownership and operation of Canada’s largest standardbred yearling sale – the London Classic Yearling Sale – and the acquisition of Dorchester Downs further positions WFA as one of Canada’s leading racing organizations. WFA took over operations of the facility in early July.

The LCYS with sale days on October 15-16 at the Agriplex of Western Fair District.

Live Racing Returns October 1st

So when will the horses take to this brand new racing surface in London? Tuesday, October 1st will mark the return of live racing and Friday, October 4th will feature the Grand Opening festivities for the new race meet… The 19th Annual Harness the Hope Night event will then take place on Friday, October 18th - with proceeds from the evening’s fundraising efforts being donated to Breast Cancer Canada and Pink Pearl Canada - organizations that provide research and support programs for those facing cancer.

The 19th Annual Harness The Hope Night in London - Friday, October 18th.