John Campbell celebrated at Mohawk

What better time than the night of the $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic, for the Woodbine Entertainment Group to honour one of harness racing’s greatest drivers, Ailsa Craig, Ontario native John Campbell?

 

The legendary linesman, who will be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in November, enjoyed more than just a night at the office Saturday when Mohawk racetrack celebrated his storied career with poster hand-outs, an autograph signing, video highlights of his most important victories, and a draw to win an autographed set of his distinctive maroon, white, and light blue racing colours.

 

A third-generation horseman, 53-year-old Campbell has captured nearly every stakes event in North America and beyond, over the course of his career. That includes six Hambletonians, three Little Brown Jugs, four Canadian Pacing Derbies, five Cane Paces, six North America Cups, the Canadian Trotting Classic, two World Trotting Derbies, two Yonkers Trots, eight Messenger Stakes, Sweden’s Elitlopp, and an astonishing 44 Breeders’ Crown events.

 

He has led all North American drivers in earnings no fewer than 16 times, and currently ranks seventh all time in victories, with 10,204. Inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY, in 1990, he has also been honoured by the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame and in 2000, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.

 

Campbell commented, “I learned all my horsemanship from my father and grandfather, and got a great start from my mom and dad. I was very fortunate that my wife is just a tremendous harness racing fan, and my number one fan. She’s been so supportive over the years and has allowed me to have a schedule which is sometimes crazy, and I never had to worry about any backlash from her at any time. That’s been a great help through the years. I’ve got a team behind me that has helped me throughout my whole career.

 

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. It’s a great honour for me to be here, and it’s great to see so many people out. Thanks a lot.” (WEG)