The humble beginning. 

 

The involvement in harness racing from the Walker family span over a century. Pionner Allan Walker, once one of Canada’s top hands was born December 5, 1916, in Allenford, Ont. Walker was known for his ability to develop, train and drive trotters, including performers such as MacDuffs Lassie, Invasion, Nancy Patch and World Champion filly Garma Alert.

Walker passed away in 1975 at the early age of 58, leaving behind a legacy that still lives on today through his sons, late Bob, Larry and Paul, late daughter Jean and their families. Walker’s entire family was and still is involved in harness racing. His late wife Viola owned, trained and bred horses, and competed in Ontario Powder Puff Derbys, occasionally against daughter Jean. Sons Bob, Larry and Paul own, breed, train and drive horses, as does Jean, who owns horses with her husband, trainer Peter Thibaudeau. Not only are Walker’s children involved in harness racing, but his grandchildren are as well. Late Grandson Robert Walker Jr. owned, trained and drove horses. His granddaughters Julie Walker, Vicki Gregg and Lori Thomson, along with her husband Jeff, also own and train horses. In 1972, the Walker family was named the Golden Horseshoe Family of the Year.

Allan Walker was also a founding member of the Ontario Harness Horseman’s Association, and was a director until passing. Walker was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1996. When he passed away in the year 1975, his family established a race The Walker Memorial Trot in his honour at his home track of Hanover.

 

@Standardbred Canada