Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary recipients announced

CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – The first annual Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary was awarded to four deserving recipients during the Friday afternoon Boxing Day card at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The inaugural winners were Julia Clow, Jessica Thibeau, Landon Campbell and Zachary MacFarlane with cheque presentations from David MacKenzie (General Manager Red Shores Properties), Blaine MacPherson (Chair, PEI Harness Racing Industry Association), and members from the Oakes Family.

The bursary is named in honour of the late Kent Oakes, former Chair of Standardbred Canada who spent 35 years in the civil service of the P.E.I. Provincial Government in the departments of Agriculture and Finance administering the Island Harness Racing Industry. Red Shores and the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association partner on the bursary that will awarded annually to outstanding candidates committed to harness racing. This year, each recipient garnered $3,750 cheques to go towards their post secondary education.

Recipients:
* Julia Clow- Daughter of Les and Deanna Clow of New Haven, Julia has been involved in harness racing from an early age helping with the family stable and paddocking for the Harold Shepherd Stable. Julia also helps with 50/50 selling for the Prince County Horsemen’s Club in Summerside, and slip running at the Atlantic Classic Sale. Julia is currently in her first year of studying Psychology at UPEI.

* Zachary MacFarlane- Introduced to the industry by his Grandmother Cheryl MacFarlane of Stratford, they own three horses together under the care of trainer Ron Matheson. Zachary has enjoyed learning about the day-to-day care of horses and assisting in the operations of the stable on race days. Zachary is currently in his first year of studying Biology at Dalhousie University.

* Landon Campbell- Son of Marc and Natasha Campbell of Vernon Bridge, Landon grew up in a harness racing and recently took over training duties of the family stable. Landon has been nominated for a Rising Star Award at the 2025 O’Brien Awards and is currently pursuing his parimutuel driver’s license. Landon is enrolled in his first year of studying Welding at Holland College.

* Jessica Thibeau- Daughter of Blaine and Jennifer Thibeau of Kensington, Jessica grew up on her fathers breeding farm where she learned the ropes of foaling mares, newborn foal care, and yearling prep. Jessica first became involved with horse ownership in 2020 with a special filly named Our Girl Annie, who would eventually win the 2022 Atlantic Breeders Crown for 2-year-old Fillies at the CDP. Jessica is in her third year of studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of New Brunswick.

by Nicholas Oakes, for Red Shores