1970 Manitoba Derby. Program cover.
by Bob Gates
Let’s take a short break from the usual fare you find on these pages and go with one of our photo blogs, shall we?
This year’s 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby features $125,000 in purse money with an additional $100,000 bonus should a horse win our Derby, the Canadian Derby and the British Columbia Derby. A one-horse sweep of the 2023 Western Canadian Triple Crown would be worth a total of $550,000.
With Derbies dating back to 1930, one Derby truly stands out over all of the others and of course that’s the July 15, 1970, Manitoba Centennial Derby. Yes, that’s the day the Queen and her family came to Assiniboia Downs.
As Manitoba was celebrating its centenary in 1970, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, along with her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, attended the Manitoba Centennial Derby at Assiniboia Downs as part of the Royals’ tour of our province.
In front of 11,127 spectators that day, Jean-Louis Levesque’s Fanfreluche won the 22nd running of the Downs’ marquee race with jockey Ron Turcotte in the saddle.
Loyal readers of the Downs history blog, we proudly present ten iconic photos from that special day. You will notice that the captions are brief to say the least. This is case where the photos speak for themselves. Please enjoy!
Derby Breakfast. L to R: Jack Stafford, Pierre-Louis Levesque, Jean-Louis Levesque, Ron Turcotte, John Mooney and Yonnie Starr.
View from above.
Queen arrives in the Royal Carriage.
Pre-race in the paddock. L to R: Princess Anne, Russ Paulley, Bill Clubb, Her Majesty, Jack Hardy.
The Derby’s First Lady, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll is front and center.
Future King Charles lll looks on with sister Princess Anne.
The Derby Post Parade.
The Royals watch the race from the viewing stand.
Fanfreluche et la celebrate her victory.
The historic 75th Manitoba Derby goes Monday, August 7th, be sure to mark that date on your calendar!
We’ll see you there.