New cup for young Atlantic drivers starts in July

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association (PEIHRIA) in partnership with the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association (NSHRIA) is excited to present the first inaugural Gamester – Pinkney Memorial Rookie Cup with the rising rookie stars of Atlantic Canadian Harness Racing.

The first edition of the Gamester – Pinkney Cup will see legs hosted at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway in Summerside, P.E.I., on July 12, 2022, followed by the second and final leg on July 19, 2022, at the Truro Raceway in Bible Hill, N.S.

The event is named in honour of two great supporters of youth in East Coast harness racing in the late Byron Gamester of Glen Valley, P.E.I., and the late Phil Pinkney of Lower Onslow, N.S.

“We are very excited and proud to hold an event that crosses intra-provincial boundaries and celebrates the legacies of two timeless supporters of young people in Atlantic Canadian harness racing,” said Blaine MacPherson, chair of the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association. “There is no question that a strong youth base lays the future of harness racing in our province, and we see this event as a pillar in developing upcoming driving talent.”

P.E.I. and Nova Scotia will each send a team of four drivers to the event with all participants needing to be 30-years or younger and have less than 100 lifetime wins as of May 31, 2022. A draw will take place to determine each team with any drivers not drawn to represent their province in 2022 given first preference for 2023. Drivers wishing to compete are asked to contact Julie Jamieson or Debbie Francis, with the full slate of drivers to be announced June 13, 2022. Conditions will be posted on peiharnessracing.com.

The top driver in the competition will receive the Andrew Family Memorial driving award and receive a complimentary race bike powder coating compliments of Wicked Powder Coating in Miscouche, P.E.I. Organizers would like to thank sponsors Meridian Farms of Calgary, Alta., Peter Francis Insurance Services and Red Shores along with the co-operation of the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association and the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association.

“Some of the greatest drivers in the history of our sport hail from Nova Scotia and P.E.I.,” said Debbie Francis, executive director of the Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association. “From greats like Bill O’Donnell, Jody Jamieson, Joe O’Brien, Wally Hennessey, Mark MacDonald and on and on there is no question of the talent pool we have developed. We hope for strong support from our local horse people to pull off this event and showcase the next generation from the Eastern Seaboard of Canada.”

From the PEIHRIA and NSHRIA