Discussions

Dec 31 1968 Herve Filion set a world record in horse racing when he won 407 races in one year.  
 
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, which were crudely designed sleds made with soap boxes, and tomato can bodies.  
 
Children drove these miniature Rigs, and 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 pair Sport and Jack won both the Tandem and the Team Event.  
 
Source: Brandon A City. G. F. Barker.  
 
http://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/drivers-trainers/1976/Herve_Filion.html