The Prix d’Été, one of Canada’s most prestigious harness racing events, is set to return on Sunday, August 18, at the Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. With a purse of C$200,000, this race is the richest and most anticipated event of the year hosted by the Quebec Jockey Club.
The Origins and Evolution of the Prix d’Été
The Prix d’Été, which translates to "Summer Prize," originally featured four-year-old harness racing pacers. However, it was once the crown jewel of Canadian harness racing for three-year-olds. The event’s history dates back to 1966 when it was first held under the name "Prix d’Automne" (Autumn Classic) at the now-defunct Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montreal. At that time, the race was open to pacers aged four and older, boasting a $50,000 purse—the largest in Canadian harness racing history at that time.
The inaugural race was won by the legendary Brett Hanover, driven by Frank Ervin, with a time of 1:59. A year later, the race was renamed "L’Amble du Centenaire" (Centennial Pace) in honour of Canada’s 100th anniversary, and the event was opened to pacers aged three and older. In 1968, the race took on its now-famous name, Prix d’Été, and in 1971, it was modified to a stake race exclusively for three-year-old pacers.
Legendary Winners and Milestones
Over the decades, the Prix d’Été has seen some of the greatest three-year-olds in harness racing history cross its finish line. Notable winners include:
- Precious Fella (1976): Driven by Gary Cameron, finishing in 1:56.4.
- Niatross (1980): Trained and driven by Clint Galbraith, setting a time of 1:53.4.
- Cam Fella (1982): Guided by trainer-driver Pat Crowe, with a time of 1:55.1.
- Matt’s Scooter (1988): Driven by Michel Lachance, finishing in 1:54.3.
The richest edition of the Prix d’Été occurred in 1991, with a purse of $663,500. Beach Towel, driven by Ray Remmen, took home the victory in 1:53.1. The most recent edition in 2019 saw This Is The Plan, driven by Daniel Dube, setting a stakes record of 1:49.1, marking the first sub-1:50 race in the history of Hippodrome 3R and the fastest half-mile race in Canadian history.
The Return of the Prix d’Été
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prix d’Été is making a much-anticipated return in 2024. The race has been a platform for showcasing the world’s top harness racing drivers and trainers. Notably, Keith Waples, Michel Lachance, and Yannick Gingras are the only drivers to have won the race twice, while trainers Billy Haughton and Ron Burke have each claimed victory three times.
As the entry box closes on August 14, anticipation builds to see which competitors will vie for the coveted Prix d’Été crown in its 2024 edition. The race continues to be a testament to the rich history and enduring legacy of harness racing in Quebec and Canada as a whole.
Previous winners of Prix d’Ete
2000 – 2023 Race not held
2019 – This Is The Plan (Daniel Dube-R.Burke) 1:49.1 $200,000
2018 – Beckhams Z Tam (Ricky Macomber-Jamie Macomber) 1:52.1 $200,000
2017 – Western Fame (Trevor Henry-Jimmy Takter) 1:53.2 $200,000
2016 – Rockin Ron (Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke) 1:52 $200,000
2015 – All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke) 1:50.3 $200,000
2014 – Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter 1:50.3 $200,000
1993 – 2013 Race not held
1992 – Direct Flight (John Campbell-Kelvin Harrison) 1:52.1 $307,400
1991 – Die Laughing (Richard Silverman-Jerry Silverman) 1:51.2 $603,500
1990 – Beach Towel (Ray Remmen-Larry Remmen) 1:53.1 $663,500
1989 – Goalie Jeff (Michel Lachance-Tom Artandi) 1 :52.1 $632,500
1988 – Matt’s Scooter (Michel Lachance-Harry Poulton) 1:54.3 $582,200
1987 – Frugal Gourmet (Trevor Ritchie-Blair Burgess) 1:53.3 $548,000
1986 – Armbro Emerson (Walter Whelan-Brian Burton) 1:56 $527,500
1985 – Falcon Seelster (Tom Harner-T. Harner) 1:53.2 $358,000
1984 – Butler BG (Ted Wing-Camilla Standfield) 1:53.4 $411,500
1983 – Ralph Hanover (Ron Waples-Stewart Firlotte) 1:54 $411,500
1982 – Cam Fella (Pat Crowe-P. Crowe) 1:55.1 $377,000
1981 – Seahawk Hanover (Ben Webster-Skip Lewis) 1:55.3 $226,1000
1980 – Niatross (Clint Galbraith-C. Galbraith) 1:53.4 $161,650
1979 – Hot Hitter (Herve Filion-Lou Meittinis) 1:54 $181,150
1978 – Abercrombie (Glen Garnsey-G. Garnsey) 1:55.4 $150,750
1977 – Governor Skipper (John Chapman-Bucky Norris) 1:54.3 $154,750
1976 – Precious Fella (Gary Cameron-Del Cameron) 1:56.4 $162,700
1975 – Albert’s Star (Keith Waples-K. Waples) 1:58 $140,000
1974 – Armbro Omaha (Peter Haughton-Bill Haughton) 1:57.4 $150,000
1973 – Armbro Nadir (Nelson White-N. White) 1:56.1 $130,000
1972 – Strike Out (Keith Waples-John Hayes) 1:58.2 $100,000
1971 – Albatross (Stanley Dancer-S.Dancer) 1:57.2 $75,000
1970 – Laverne Hanover (George Sholty-Bill Haughton) 1:57.2 $75,000
1969 – Race not held
1968 – True Duane (Chris Boring-Leon Boring) 1:58 $50,000
1967 – Romulus Hanover (Bill Haughton-B.Haughton) 1:57.1 $50,000
1966 – Bret Hanover (Frank Ervin-F.Ervin) 1:59 $50,000