9th Annual Vic Hayter Memorial Trot Sunday

Nine years after the inaugural Vic Hayter Memorial Trot was held at Clinton Raceway in 2016, the memory of the Stratford Ontario hotelier continues to be honoured by family and friends in a way that would be sure to make the late Vic Hayter proud.

Although his career in the hospitality industry was demanding and owning both the Arden Park Hotel and Festival Inn in Stratford took up the majority of his waking hours, Hayter always made time to take the trip down highway 8 on Sunday afternoons. “He’d be home at 12:30 pm to pick up my mother and they’d go to Clinton Raceway.” Hayter’s son, Greg said when the race debuted in 2016. “Even as kids, living in Lucan, Sundays were always spent at the track.” Greg adds.

Involvement in the harness racing industry, spanning over 38 years, and a love for all animals is what led the family to create the memorial trot. Rather than simply hosting a race in his honour, the Hayter family knew that creating an entire day based around the memory of Vic was a more fitting way to celebrate his memory. Incorporating a fundraiser was a must and over the past eight events over $30,000 has been raised for various charities.

From its conception in 2016, the Stratford Perth Humane Society has participated each year and will once again be trackside for the event on Sunday, July 21 at Clinton Raceway. Raffle tickets are available for $5 each and feature three great prizes including a Theatre Package (two matinee tickets for Something Rotten! At Stratford Festival, one night’s accommodation at the Best Western/Arden Park with dinner and breakfast) A London Shopping Trip including $100 gift card for White Oaks Mall, one night stay at the Four Points Sheraton which includes dinner and breakfast and the third prize of two tickets to see country music star Sam Hunt at Budweiser Gardens in London on September 28.

In addition to his love for the animals, Hayter had a huge appreciation for the caretakers of the horses. “He just loved to be in the backstretch, loved to talk to the drivers, the trainers and the grooms. He was a real people person that way and loved to have conversations. I think that’s where the recognition of the caretakers comes from.” Greg recalls. Because of this appreciation, the Hayter Family is once again providing lunch for the caretakers in the backstretch during the event.

The 2023 edition of the invitational trot was claimed by two-time winning Sizzlen Hot Herbie for owner/trainer Natasha Day and driven by Daniel Clements in 2:00.2. The track record for aged trotting mares was set during the event in 2022 by Power and Grace in a time of 1:58.

Post time for the Sunday, July 21 ten race card is set for 1:30pm with the 9th Annual Vic Hayter Memorial Trot capping off the day. Race fans of all ages are invited to enjoy the Little Tracks Petting Zoo from 1-4pm, the Young Gunz miniature horse race with meet and greet and to stay following the races for a Beef on a Bun dinner. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Clinton Raceway. More details and information can be found by visiting here

by Jessica Carnochan, for Grand River Raceway