Get ready for a thrilling event as two Nova Scotia natives and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame members are set to return to their home province for the much-anticipated Truro Raceway's Remembering Sackville Downs Day on Sunday, Sept. 15.
In his driving career, Bill O'Donnell was known as the "Magic Man" and would meet and greet fans and sign autographs. His father and uncle raced at Sackville Downs, bringing many family ties to the oval. O'Donnell got his driver's license at the old track before migrating to America. A legendary driver, O'Donnell won over 5,700 races and earned over $99 million. He won almost 200 significant stakes championships, including the Little Brown Jug twice, the Hambletonian, and 12 Breeders Crowns, and drove the legendary Nihilator to the first sub-1:50 mile in 1985 in 1:49.3. O'Donnell entered the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1986.
Another star returning to Nova Scotia is trainer/driver Carl Jamieson. Hailing from Pugwash and Wallace, N.S., Jamieson was a frequent driver at Sackville Downs before achieving great success in Ontario. With almost 1,300 driving victories, $7.1 million in prize earnings, 1,000 training wins, and $27.2 million in earnings, his track record speaks for itself. He will be signing autographs and participating in the event, adding to the excitement of the day.
Former Sackville Downs track announcer Clary Flemming, who worked there from 1961 to 1970, will also appear on the Truro Raceway broadcast. Jamieson and other former Sackville Downs drivers will compete in a unique race called by him.