Racing community steps up for Holiday Drivers’ Challenge in support of Toys for Tots.

by Matthew Lomon

Tradition, both old and new, is at the core of every holiday celebration.

For the folks at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, their yearly holiday custom involves uniting Ontario’s top reinsmen for a night dedicated to assisting families less fortunate.

On Tuesday (Dec. 10), the London, ON oval will hold its 5th Annual Holiday Drivers’ Challenge in support of Toys for Tots.

As Greg Blanchard recalls, the event first imagined by his former colleague Greg Gangle four years ago was an instant hit.

“It was an idea that went over very well and made a lot of sense,” said Blanchard, the director of equine programming at Western Fair. “It was just a great fit for this time of year and partnering with a charity like for ‘Tots’ was a fantastic match.

“The day has grown each year since, and it’s become a real highlight on our annual racing calendar.”

The Raceway hosted its maiden edition of the Holiday Drivers’ Challenge in December of 2020 – a time that was made especially trying by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the constraints caused by the coronavirus, more than $5,700 was raised during the inaugural occasion.

That output later boomed across the second, third, and fourth running of the HDC.

Altogether, the seasonal staple has generated in excess of $50,000 for Toys for Tots.

“It’s very important; it means a lot to us to be able to give back to our local community, and not only us here at The Raceway, but all of our horsepeople and customers as well,” said Blanchard. “The HDC has become one of our biggest events of the racing season.”

Over the years, several standout performers have passed through its ranks, including 2022 Ontario Women’s Driving Champion Natasha Day and Canada’s second-leading driver in 2023 (413 wins), Tyler Borth.

A native of Australia’s Gold Coast, Day piloted her way atop the leaderboard to claim the 2022 HDC by two points over Borth (64-62).

The versatile horsewoman is eager to spread more holiday cheer again this year.

“It’s always great to try and put some good karma out in the world, and if we can do that while having some fun then it never feels like work,” said Day. “Christmas is about sharing, and helping, and celebrating. So, through collecting and donating to Toys for Tots, the HDC does all of the above and I think the drivers enjoy it just as much as the kids.”

Alongside Day, past HDC champions include Bob McClure and Marc St. Louis, Jr., who shared the 2020 title, and two-time O’Brien Award recipient James MacDonald, victor of the 2021 and 2023 editions.

Borth is equally excited to draw in for another HDC.

Being at Western Fair, the charitable contest carries added meaning for the Ingersoll, ON-based reinsman, who notched his first career score at the half-mile track in 2012.

“Competing in the drivers’ challenge at Western Fair is very important to me because it’s the track that started me off and helped me have a great career so far,” said Borth. “I’m grateful for that, so any time I can give back to a great charity event that Western Fair is putting on I will.”

Joining Day, Borth and McClure for the 5th Annual Holiday Drivers’ Challenge are local standouts Garrett Rooney (Western Fair’s leading driver as of Dec. 4) and Lorne House, as well as Canada’s second-leading driver Travis Henry (363 wins as of Dec. 1), and rising stars Samuel Fillion and Daryl Thiessen.

Blanchard says his team is eternally grateful for the unwavering support that Ontario’s driving colony has shown throughout the HDC’s brief, but impactful existence.

“We really appreciate, especially the non-regular drivers who take time out of their schedules over the holiday season to come down and support the event,” said Blanchard. “WEG drivers, in particular, they’re always willing to make time for it. We don’t want to lean on the same names every year, we want to spread that around.

“Our local drivers are more than happy to step up and take part.”

Interest and advocacy remain in abundant supply outside the driving contingent, as well.

As Blanchard noted, the horse racing community has rallied around Western Fair in a united effort to uplift the HDC and its yield for Toys for Tots.

“The overall support of the industry is outstanding, and we can’t thank them enough,” said Blanchard.

On the home front, Blanchard said Kelly McNiven deserves a moment in the spotlight for her consistent presence in championing the HDC.

“Kelly’s stepped up and become a huge part of our team, putting this together each year,” he said. “She took it upon herself a couple of years back to collect donations and organize that part of it for us.

“We couldn’t do it without her. It speaks volumes to her character, and it’s wonderful that she helps us out and has played an integral role as we aim to elevate the event to new heights each year.”

Between Gangle’s imagination and Blanchard and McNiven’s motivation to see the concept through, the title of Holiday Drivers’ Challenge Champion is an illustrious label for the eight drivers that compete each year.

“Our racing is pretty spirited every day as it is, but when there’s a drivers’ competition, it’s at a different level,” said Blanchard. “These stars are competing for charity, but they’re ultra-competitive at the same time. They want the bragging rights of saying they’re the Holiday Drivers’ Challenge Champion.”

Top honors will go to the pilot who collects the most points across the HDC card.

Drivers will be rewarded 15 points for a win, with the subsequent finishing positions returning 10-7-5-4-3-2-1 in that order.

In the event of a scratch, the driver will automatically receive five points.

While winning is the name of the game, the true measure of the HDC’s success is giving as many children the kind of holiday celebration they deserve.

“The drivers realize how important it is for families less fortunate to have a charity like this that they can rely on this time of year,” said Blanchard. “For us to be able to support that is fantastic.”

First post time for Western Fair’s Dec. 10 program is scheduled for 5:50 p.m.

Those interested in making a cash donation can do so through e-transfer to [email protected].

Collection boxes for toy donations are set up at Wilson’s Tack shop on-site at Western Fair, the Flamboro Downs Paddock, and Wilson’s Tack retail location in London.