PEI Harness Racing Industry Association

***REMINDER OF BURSARY APPLICATION DEADLINE***

The Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association (PEIHRIA) and Red Shores are pleased to announce the Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary, honoring the late Kent Oakes and his lasting contributions to the harness racing industry on Prince Edward Island.

The bursary will be awarded annually to a successful applicant to assist with expenses associated with post-secondary education. Applicants can only receive the bursary once. The $15,000 bursary may be awarded to one individual or split between multiple individuals at the discretion of the selection committee. Deadline for applications is August 31st, 2026 at 12 P.M. (AST).

Kent Oakes began working in harness racing on the family farm in North Wiltshire, P.E.I., and spent time as a teenager grooming horses in his uncle’s New York stable. After University he embarked on a distinguished thirty-five-year career with the P.E.I. Provincial Government in the departments of Agriculture and Finance.
During that time, he worked with the P.E.I. Lotteries Commission, the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission, and both Red Shores locations. He played a key role in shaping policy for the industry, including serving as the government representative on the planning and construction committee for the redevelopment of the Charlottetown Driving Park.

Beyond his professional work, Kent was deeply committed to volunteering. He served on numerous industry boards including the PEIHRIA, the Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale, the PEI Standardbred Breeders Association, the PEI Matinee Track Development Program, and Standardbred Canada.

Kent was a strong advocate for youth and education. He was instrumental in developing and sustaining the PEI Matinee Program to help young drivers become pari-mutually licensed and always believed in supporting education for youth connected to the industry.

Kent passed away in the summer of 2024. In February 2025, he was posthumously awarded the Cam Fella Award, and in August 2025, was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The strength of PEI’s harness racing industry and beyond can be directly attributed to his dedication.
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Eligibility and Application
To apply, candidates must:
1. Be a resident of Prince Edward Island.
2. Be enrolled in a post-secondary diploma, degree, or trade program for the fall of 2026/and or Winter 2027 (proof of enrollment required).
3. Be in any year of enrollment (first year through completion).
4. Applicants who have previously received this bursary are not eligible to apply again.
5. Disclose any other bursaries, grants, or scholarships received in the application year.
6. Provide a short description of their involvement in the harness racing industry. Extra consideration will be given to individuals active as volunteers, or as Standardbred Canada licensed grooms, trainers, or drivers.
7. Provide a letter of endorsement from an individual involved in harness racing (not family members).
8. Write a one-page or longer, double-spaced essay addressing the following:
-How can harness racing on Prince Edward Island encourage youth involvement, development, and retention?
-How will your post-secondary education apply to your future involvement in harness racing?
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Submission
-Deadline: August 31st, 2026 @ 12 P.M. (AST)
-Application form can be found at www.peiharnessracing.ca under the 'Kent Oakes Memorial Bursary' tab
-Send applications to: [email protected]

PEI Harness Racing Industry Association – PEIHRIA Industry news, stakes, stallions, Atlantic Classic Sale PEI Harness Racing Industry Association The PEIHRIA was formed in 1999 to provide a united approach to the industry and sport of harness racing on Prince Edward Island. Contact Us Follow PEIHRIA On Our Social Networks Summer Breeders Symposium PEIHRIA 2026 Update Meeting Presentation 2026 Maritime S...

Do you know a deserving individual worthy of recognition for their involvement in the PEI harness racing sector?

Hon. Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, recently announced that the Joe Smallwood Memorial Recognition Award will be presented again this year. The award will be presented on Atlantic Breeders Crown weekend (October 4th, 2026) to recipients(s) that have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to the PEI harness racing industry.

Their involvement is to be considered as positive and impactful, through their spirit and fellowship within the Prince Edward Island harness racing sector. Special emphasis will be given to those who are seen to be participants/contributors/builders at the grassroots level.

Criteria:
A worthy individual(s) will be recommended by the Selection Committee to the Premier, from nominations received from the public.

-Any individual may be nominated
-Posthumous nominations will be considered
-Nominations must be received by September 11th, 2026, via a Nomination Process available at the PEI Harness Racing Industry Association website www.peiharnessracing.ca
-Joe Smallwood Memorial Recognition Award – For Contribution to Prince Edward Island Harness Racing.

How to Make a Nomination:

Who can nominate someone?
Any individual or organization can submit nominations for the Joe Smallwood Memorial Recognition Award. If you know of someone who you consider worthy of recognition, this is your opportunity to have them considered for special honour and recognition. A summary of the nomination procedure is available at www.peiharnessracing.ca

The deadline for current applications is September 11th, 2026.

Should I nominate someone?
The Joe Smallwood Memorial Recognition Award has been established as a way of acknowledging those individuals who meet the criteria for the award, notably by having made a positive and impactful through their spirit and fellowship within the Prince Edward Island harness racing industry. It is a special act of appreciation to nominate someone you believe is deserving of such an honour.

How does the nomination process work?
The public nominates deserving individuals. An independent Selection Committee considers each nomination and makes final recommendations to the Premier.

What does the recipient receive?
Honorees will be presented with the Joe Smallwood Memorial Recognition Award at the Atlantic Breeders Crown banquet on Thanksgiving weekend each year. Recipients of the Award will also receive an official certificate.

Previous Award Winners
-Clark Smith (2019)
-Ron Gass (2020)
-The late Earl Smith (2021)
-Ralph Annear (2022)
-The late Lowell Stead (2023)
-The late Kent Oakes (2024)
-Gail MacDonald (2025)

PEI Harness Racing Industry Association – PEIHRIA Industry news, stakes, stallions, Atlantic Classic Sale PEI Harness Racing Industry Association The PEIHRIA was formed in 1999 to provide a united approach to the industry and sport of harness racing on Prince Edward Island. Contact Us Follow PEIHRIA On Our Social Networks Summer Breeders Symposium PEIHRIA 2026 Update Meeting Presentation 2026 Maritime S...

A reminder to participants that the nomination deadline for the Gold Cup and Saucer is Monday, August 10th at 3pm AST. For more information, contact the Red Shores race office at 902-629-6636

***REMINDER FOR ISLAND STANDARDBRED BREEDERS***

The PEI Standardbred Breeders Symposium will be taking place this evening (Monday, July 27th) at the PEI Farm Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The symposium will feature guest speakers Pat Woods of Winbak Farm of Canada, Jesse Belore of Princeton Farms, and Dr. Martha Mellish of the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Those interested in attending are asked to sign up at the following link: https://www.peiharnessracing.ca/breeders-symposium-expression-of-interest/

For more information on the symposium, please contact the PEIHRIA office at (902)-569-1682 or by email at [email protected]