By Karen Hauver 

Twenty young writers and artists and their families gathered at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, October 17, for the 2026 Youth Derby Awards Night, presented by the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance (BGRA) and sponsored by Ontario Standardbred breeder Tom Rankin. 

Now in their fourth consecutive year, the BGRA’s Youth Literary Derby and Youth Art Derby invite Ontario students to explore Standardbred horses and harness racing through creative expression. The Literary Derby welcomes poems and short stories from students in Grades 3–8, with junior (Grades 3–5) and intermediate (Grades 6–8) divisions. The Art Derby accepts drawings, sketches and paintings from students in Grades 3–12, with an additional senior division for Grades 9–12. Entries for this year’s contests closed August 31. 

The top three finalists in each of seven categories were invited to Awards Night. Prizes of $250 for first place, $150 for second and $100 for third were generously sponsored by Rankin. 

Awards Night photos from the BGRA Youth Derby Awards Night. Photos (above/below) courtesy of BGRA 

Along with dinner and the awards presentations, finalists and their families enjoyed paddock tours, a harnessing demonstration, rides in double-seated jog carts, and a virtual reality harness driving experience. Guests also had an opportunity to speak with Mohawk driver Scott Young while awaiting their turn to drive a racehorse virtually. 

The Central Ontario Standardbred Association sponsored the meal and a Drive With Us experience, while Equine Guelph and Standardbred Canada contributed additional prizes. Finalists aged 13 and older received certificates for Equine Guelph’s online Youth Horse Behaviour and Safety courses, and all category winners received a complimentary Junior Membership from Standardbred Canada. 

“Judging by the smiles and comments, I think the finalists and their families all had a great time,” said BGRA director Jane Belore. “They got to experience several behind-the-scenes experiences unique to our industry.” 

BGRA’s Karen Hauver thanked Rankin, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and the many organizations and individuals whose support made the contests and celebration possible. 

The group also gathered for a blanket presentation following the fifth race, won by pacing gelding Jack Panic, driven by JR Plante for trainer Carmen Auciello and owner Daniel Sarafian of Unionville. 

2026 Youth Derby Winners 

Youth Literary Derby 

• Junior Short Story, Grades 3–5: Larissa Thompson of Guelph — Pickles the Standardbred Racing Horse 
• Intermediate Short Story, Grades 6–8: Ruihan Zhao of Hamilton — Piper’s Song 
• Junior Poem, Grades 3–5: Olivia Schiedel of Ayton — The Late Race 
• Intermediate Poem, Grades 6–8: Supreet Kaur of Brampton — An Extra Mile 

Youth Art Derby 

• Junior, Grades 3–5: Alice Chen of Ancaster — The World Through a Racehorse’s Eyes 
• Intermediate, Grades 6–8: Ruihan Zhao of Hamilton — Racing at Sundown 
• Senior, Grades 9–12: Jacintha Riehl of Strathroy — Beauty of the Race 

A complete list of finalist placings and their entries will be posted on the Winner’s Circle page at BGRacingAlliance.ca.

Main Photo: The Winners’ Circle. Credit: Clive Cohen