R.C. Anderson Trophy (Jason Halstead)
By Track Historian Bob Gates
On June 11, 1975, Robert Carr “Bob” Anderson, husband of Victoria May Anderson, passed away, and our racing fraternity lost a special friend and contributor.
Not long after Bob’s death, a race was organized to honour his memory and celebrate his contributions to racing. The race was designed for Manitoba-bred three-year-old fillies and remains one of a handful of events that give local fillies a chance to “strut their stuff.”
Five decades later, the race hasn’t changed much, except that the fillies now get to stretch their legs a bit more, having to negotiate two turns. This July 22, the Anderson will mark its 50th running and boasts an impressive list of past winners. The alumni of champions include Nocalero, Body Works, Slinkylady, Golden Stripe, Hidden Grace, Melisandre, and of course, the queen of them all, Escape Clause.
By all accounts, cattleman Bob Anderson was a great guy. His time in the racing business dates back to the grand old days of Whittier and Polo Park. For years, Bob was a member and director of the Manitoba Division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). He was the “Master” of Hillside Farm and built it into a formidable racing stable here at the Downs. (As an aside, you have to love the use of the word “Master,” a term often used by the late Elman Guttormson, racing scribe for the Winnipeg Free Press.)
Bob and his wife May were good friends with former Downs owners Jim and Hazel Wright and travelled with them to the 1953 Kentucky Derby. This wasn’t just any Derby trip—the 1953 edition was special, featuring $50 longshot Dark Star handing the Grey Ghost, Native Dancer, what would ultimately be the only defeat of his career. Rumour has it that someone cashed a very nice win ticket on longshot Dark Star that day!
Hillside Farm found success with Manitoba-breds Prince Robby and Scott Tyler, winning Two-Year-Old Horse of the Year twice and Three-Year-Old Horse of the Year once. In 1972, Bob won the Gold Cup and the Speers Handicap with Doc Kope, and in 1973 he was named Manitoba’s Horseman of the Year. A cruel twist of fate would deny Bob the chance to see his Scott Tyler—named for his grandson—compete in the 1975 Manitoba Derby, which was run just two months after his passing.
Doc Kope wins the Gold Cup, August 5, 1972 (Gerry Hart)
Doc Kope Speers presentation, July 1972. L to R: Wayne, Barry, Bob Anderson, Bob Ramsey, Clayton Gray, and Larry Wiseman (Gerry Hart)
On June 9, 1976, the inaugural running of the R. C. Anderson Memorial Stakes crowned its first winner, Northern Quill. Quill was trained by Clayton Gray and ridden to victory by Kenny “Hank” Hendricks, and the story comes with a fairytale-like twist. Northern Quill was bred by Bob Anderson and named by wife May as a yearling. May, in turn, was asked to handle the trophy presentation that day. It was a moving ceremony and a special moment for Bob’s widow to hand the newly fashioned Anderson trophy to Quill’s owner—and Bob’s close friend—Bob Dalrymple. In hindsight, there was a tremendous amount of karma behind Quill’s victory.
Nothern Quill wins the first R.C. Anderson after Bob's passing (Gerry Hart)
Bob’s contribution to racing knew no bounds and extended through his lifelong influence over his sons, Wayne and Barry, who both followed in their father’s footsteps. As second-generation horsemen, both have impressive résumés.
Wayne R. Anderson served on the Board of the HBPA from 1973 to 1992, including as President from 1982 to 1985. In 1992, Premier Gary Filmon appointed Wayne Chair of the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission, a role in which he served as Chair and Director of Racing until 2003. In 2018, Wayne was elected to the Board of the CTHS Manitoba Division, where he continues to serve.
Barry J. Anderson was elected to the original CTHS Manitoba Board when it was formed in 1975 and remained on the Board until 1992. He served as President of the Manitoba Division for three years and was National Vice-President for two. In 1993, when the Manitoba Jockey Club was created to operate Assiniboia Downs, Barry was nominated as one of the directors from the CTHS. He has served as Board Secretary ever since.
Bob’s influence carries on to a third generation almost nine decades later. His grandson, Scott Tyler Anderson—Barry’s son—was elected to the Board of the HBPA Manitoba Division in 2017. In 2024, Scott was elected President of the HBPA Board.
Scott Tyler wins on June 22, 1975 - 11 days after Bob's passing (Gerry Hart)
Scott Tyler connections, 1975 Manitoba Derby. L to R: Derby Belle, Clayton Gray, May Anderson, Barry, and Wayne Anderson (Gerry Hart)
Most importantly, there’s no chance the family legacy will fade with time. For that, we have to thank family historian Wayne, who is hard at work documenting the Andersons’ horse racing story. Wayne’s labour of love will be a self-published book titled A Memoir – The Anderson Family and 80 Years of Horse Racing.
This background surely qualifies the Andersons as the first family of thoroughbred racing in Manitoba. Half a century ago, Bob Anderson passed the torch to sons Wayne and Barry, who continue to lead faithfully by example.
The Andersons are owed a huge debt of gratitude—and now, with Bob’s grandson Scott, the family legacy is on solid footing. So let’s all meet trackside on Tuesday, July 22 . . .
To remember and pay homage to racing’s good friend, Robert Carr “Bob” Anderson.