Assiniboia Downs History Case (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
By Track Historian Bob Gates
The “Racing Through Time” display in the front lobby has a fresh look to it for the 2026 racing season. Have you noticed? You know the area we’re talking about, just inside the main doors leading to Guest Services. You walk right through it on your way to either the escalators to the second floor or to the main floor of the grandstand.
Granted, the east wall mural depicting a 100-year history of horse racing in Winnipeg hasn’t changed, but have you ever stopped to actually look at the wall with its detailed history of the tracks that preceded Assiniboia Downs? Treat yourselves one day, stop and look at the marvellous photos and articles from yesteryear. You’ll be amazed at the local racing history.
On the south wall, you find the digital image board that features the Downs’ leading jockeys and trainers going back to 1958, where it all began. Every season, this board is updated with the jockey and trainer champions from the previous year.
Once you’re done there, take a few more moments and cast your eyes on the racing memorabilia in the three history cases. You’ll find that one is dedicated to Whittier Park, another to Polo Park, and finally one for the Downs. The cases contain rare items from each of those tracks. This is what you can expect to see this year.
Assiniboia Downs History Case - Alternate View (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
The Downs case has all sorts of goodies. There is a black embroidered cloth from the Downs’ 50th anniversary in 2008. Then there’s the Racing Through Time artwork of Charlie Johnston and Tom Andrich hanging on the back wall of the case. How about the photo of the Queen from the Royal Visit in 1970 or the jockey colony photo from the early 1960s? How many of this old “crew” do you recognize?
We have photos honouring Albert Edward “Bert” Blake and 12-time leading trainer Ardell Sayler. How about our latest addition, the silver tray that was presented to jockey Dick Armstrong to mark the occasion of winning the very first race on opening day, June 10, 1958?
Whittier Park Case (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
Not enough history for you? Then perhaps the Whittier Park case is more to your liking. This case is highlighted by the starter’s bell once used at the St. Boniface track and an official program from the final day of racing at Whittier on September 14, 1935. There’s a saddle and skull cap from the early 1940s that belonged to jockey Ray Stewart, who raced locally from 1939 to 1959.
The most recent addition to the case is the jockey colony photo from 1932. Think about it for a moment, the jockey photo and the 1935 program are now more than 90 years old. Now that’s history!
Polo Park Case (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
Finally, we move to the treasures of Polo Park. Another jockey colony photo from the early 1950s does well to set the tone for these timepieces of the past. There’s the silver tray that was awarded to the winner of the Canadian Derby in 1951, F. M. “Tiny” Holden’s Beau Orage. More on this tray in a future blog story.
Another prized possession is the 1948 cooler blanket of Victory Gift, Scotty Kennedy’s mare who won the Canadian Derby that was run at Polo. Victory Gift has the greatest three-generational story ever. Her mom was a mare by the name of Omar’s Gift (you can see her in the September 8, 1947, photo). Omar’s Gift was a horse that Scotty “bought” for 37 cents, and she won the 13th running of the Winnipeg Futurity in 1942.
The thing is, Victory Gift’s contribution to racing wasn’t over. She had a son in 1957. The bay colt would come to be purchased a few weeks before the 1960 Manitoba Derby by Downs owner Jack Hardy. The colt’s name? Bocage! And if his name sounds familiar, it should. The 1960 Manitoba Derby was the first renewal of the race since 1940. Bocage, grandson of Omar’s Gift and son of Victory Gift, was the winner of the 12th running of the Manitoba Derby, the first ever run at Assiniboia Downs.
Polo Park Case - Alternate View (Jason Halstead / Assiniboia Photo)
As you know, the Downs is a multi-use, year-round facility. So, the Racing Through Time display is featured from May through to the end of the meet in October. Please make a point to get out to the track and check out the history area, and there’s no time like the present.
Your history guy goes back to a time when the Downs wasn’t a “Gaming and Event” Centre. This meant that after the last day of the race meet, the track was put in “mothballs” until the horses returned the following spring. That’s right, the facility was shuttered tight, and we couldn’t wait for thoroughbred horse racing to return!
Believe me when I say that you owe it to yourself to get out to the races, IN PERSON. It’s the best way to get your horse racing “fix”: free parking, free admission, “Live” racing action, and as much history as you’re willing to take in.
So, we’ll see you soon at Assiniboia Downs Racetrack, your “Live” Horse Racing, Gaming, Event and Racing History Centre!
Who Knew? I’ve been writing the history blog since May 2012, and that means I’m now into year #15 of authoring this feature. This week’s blog marks my 275th story. Wow, and thank you for reading!