by Heather MacKay

Campbellville, ON — Hundreds of people converged at Mohawk Racetrack on Wednesday evening (Oct. 29) to pay tribute to two harness racing icons, first cousins Keith and Ron Waples. The event also served as a fundraiser for Paige and Paula Austin, the young daughters of talented and well-liked trainer Mark Austin who passed away suddenly last month at 54.

Event organizers Bill O’Donnell and Cathy Boughton (left) and Ian Fleming, Heather MacKay and Jack Darling (right), flank Ron and Keith Waples and Julie, Paige and Paula Austin. Kelly Spencer, another key player in the event’s success, was behind the camera.

The 500 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour while perusing the numerous silent auction items available before enjoying a scrumptious buffet put on by WEG. Following the dinner the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Hector Clouthier, former MP, passionate harness racing participant and witty raconteur, got the evening underway.

A video chronicling the incredible success of Keith and Ron was then shown interspersed with stories and reminiscences from Roger Mayotte, Jack Moiseyev, Paul MacDonell and Ron’s son Randy.

“I idolized the way he (Ron) drove horses and the way he conducted himself, he’s a great person and a leader in our sport,” said MacDonell.

Following the video several people spoke including John Kopas and his mother Alice who paid tribute to Keith’s wife Eileen.

“While Keith was burning up the racetrack, she was tending to the home fires. She did that very well and I can relate to that.”

Iron Horse photos

Ron Waples addresses the full house in the Mohawk dining room.

John shared a few stories from his dad, Jack, who raced with both Keith and Ron for years. In one stakes race Jack had a four horse entry, Keith won with one while the others finished second, third and fifth. After the race one of the drivers asked who let someone pass them, preventing a clean sweep of the top four positions.

“That would be me,” Jack ruefully replied.

One of Keith’s most memorable victories came in the 1972 Little Brown Jug with Strike Out, trained by the late John Hayes. His son, Dr. John Hayes, called harness racing’s poet laureate by Cloutheir, presented one of his wonderful poems centered on the Waples cousins and dedicated to the Austin family. One line said: “Strike Out and father would roll over in their graves if I roasted Keith, so I’ll behave.”

Introduced as ‘the second most famous person from Springhill, Nova Scotia (behind only Anne Murray)’, Bill O’Donnell also spoke.

“I’ve raced at tracks across North America, and it never failed, people would ask me ‘how’s Keith Waples?’ He was so well respected, while Ron on the other hand . . .”

Ron was able to give back with a few jabs of his own when he closed the evening’s speakers. He also told Paige and Paula that his wish for them was “may the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.”

Paula ended the presentation by thanking all who attended for their generosity and kindness.

Full results of the fundraising effort are not finalized but will be released when available. One of the hottest tickets at the silent auction was one of Keith Waples’ vintage driving jackets. There was a battle between Gregg and Doug McNair, Jody Jamieson and Phil Hudon with Jody winning with an $800 bid. Jamieson also took home a jacket in Ron’s colors for $400. Murray Brethour paid $1,700 for a Pennsbury jogger while Dustin Jones shelled out $1,400 for a Brodeur sulky.

An online auction was also held the week prior.

“The whole evening was an incredible success and I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity. The harness racing community always steps up and takes care of their own,” said event organizer Jack Darling.