by Tom White, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — Canadian Donnie Simmonds, a longtime friend of the Little Brown Jug, is the 2011 Joe Neville Award winner. Delaware Fair officials will honor Simmonds during Jug Day ceremonies in the winner’s circle.

USTA photo

Donnie Simmonds

Simmonds, a native of Prince Edward Island and a member of the board of directors of the Charlottetown Driving Club, was also elected to the board of directors of the U.S. Trotting Association in 1994. He served three years for the Maritime District of Canada.

“Donnie was a great fan of the Brown Jug and came for years and promoted the race everywhere he went, especially in Canada,” said Tom Thomson, president and treasurer of the Little Brown Jug Society and Director of Racing at the Delaware County Fair. “He told his Canadian friends, ‘If you ever go to the United States to see a horse race you have to go to Delaware and see the Little Brown Jug.’”

Simmonds served 35 years in the Canadian Coast Guard. Following his retirement, Simmonds became an owner, trainer and amateur driver. He raced such horses as Oldtime Robbi, Lusty Pride and Splurge on the Maritime Circuit. He also owned horses who raced at the Delaware Fair.

Simmonds died in May of 2011 and is survived by his wife, Nannette.