Discussions

Dec 31 1968 Herve Filion set a world record in horse racing when he won 407 races in one year.  
 
Early Gambling in Brandon.  
During the 1880’s the citizens of the city were enthralled with betting. They bet on anything, like whether Brandon’s Firemen could out pull Portage-la-Prairies at Tug-of-War. Bets of up to $1,000 were wagered on whether Winnipeg sprinter Mr. H.T. Cameron could out run Mr. W. A. McLean of Brandon in a 75-yard dash. They even bet against Minnidosa’s strong man that he could not arm-wrestle all comers in Brandon.  
 
Horse racing occurred in Brandon as early as 1882, participants would race from the corner of Rosser Avenue and Eighth Street in front of Dr. Fleming’s drug Store. The Punters placed bets on whether Mr. J.E. Mann’s Pacer could beat Mr. W. Trance’s over a half-mile distance.  
 
In the summer of 1887, 20 participants tried the Sport of Fox Hunting. The hounds however failed to catch the fox before a farmer’s dog killed it forcing the huntsmen to retire after an unsuccessful hunt.  
 
Mr. Peter Payne and Mr. John Hanbury founded the Brandon Turf club. In those early days the Hanbury Cup was the most coveted prize in horse racing.  
 
While Horse Racing was most popular, Dog Racing was the most unusual. Dog racing was a winter event, which had always been held on New Years Day. The Races were started by Mr. D. Anson Reesor, the jeweller and Mr. Art McLean. In 1911 at the height of their popularity over 2000 people yelled themselves hoarse when they cheered on the dogs as they raced down Rosser Avenue.  
 
The dogs would bolt, collide and run away, while pulling hand sleighs, crudely designed sleds with soap boxes, and tomato can bodies. Children drove these miniature Rigs, who would seat themselves as much on edge with all the strain and tension on their faces just like the jockey’s of the adult Trotters and Paces.  
 
At one dog race that is reported in 1911, Willie Coopers dog “Nell” came in first in the single dog race. Mr. W.J. Cowan’s Sport and Jack won both the Tandem and the Team Event.  
 
Source: Brandon A City. E. Barker.  
 
http://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/drivers-trainers/1976/Herve_Filion.html  
 
Note: Hanbury, John  
 
Was born in Ontario in 1855 and left home at ten years of age to farm till he reached the age of fifteen. He studied the Trade of plasterer, mason, and bricklayer. After he moved to Brandon around January 1882 he started a Construction Company. He built the Post office block, the Merchants Block, the Langham Hotel, the General hospital building, and was an Alderman. He is commemorated by having the new Toboggan Hill in the Winston Churchill Park named after him.