from The Raceway at Western Fair District Media Relations

London, ON — Longtime race secretary Terry Provost was honored Friday night (May 18) during the Molson Pace elimination card at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

Provost, who served as race secretary at the London, Ontario, racetrack for close to two decades, becomes the 27th person inducted into the Wall of Fame which recognizes distinguished service and exemplary contributions to racing at The Raceway.

Iron Horse Photo

Ian Fleming (right) and Sarah Imrie (left) of Western Fair District flank Wall of Fame inductee Terry Provost and his wife June-Marie.

“He ran the race office with skill, imagination and an innate ability to classify horses in order to ensure the most competitive races possible,” noted Hugh Mitchell, CEO of Western Fair District during his induction speech.

“Terry was a visionary and introduced races and innovative events including stakes for claimers which were unheard of at that time but commonplace now.”

“I was very fortunate to work with horsemen like hall of famers Jack Kopas and Bill Herbert and great drivers like Terry Kerr, Dave Wall and Ray McLean. Those were great years in racing and I’m so fortunate to have been a part of that,” Provost noted.

“No one loved going to work more than I did and no one cared more; my vocation was my advocation and not many people can say that. I’m very honored and what makes it more special is that I join two of the ladies I worked with for years in the race office, Nettie Rumas and Kas Allison and the man who hired me, Evan McGugan. Back then it truly was the Western Fair family and they were a big part of it.”

The sixth race on Friday night’s program, the C$16,000 Terry Provost Pace, was captured by First Rate Shark and Doug McNair in 1:54 over Cactus Jack and John Campbell (who was making his first appearance at his home track in 32 years) and Wild Dragon.