The First Canadian Pacing Derby: New Hamburg

From 1936 to 1956 a major sports event in Waterloo County was the Annual Canadian Pacing Derby at New Hamburg.

Harness racing had become an increasingly prominent sport in Canada and the United States. Early in 1936 some sports and community-minded citizens of New Hamburg and surrounding area considered forming a racing club to utilize the track and park facilities in the village for organized racing meets.

On June 5, with thirty present, including several municipal officials, the New Hamburg Turf Club was formed. The elected executive raised the funds necessary to assure the initial success of the project, including the guarantee required by the Dominion Harness Racing Association to permit holding the annual Canadian Pacing Derby at the local track.

For many years the success of the Derby, that attracted thousands of spectators, permitted the Club to financially assist other community projects. Owing to the establishment of many new tracks in larger centres, the Club discontinued operations in 1957.