Builder

Throughout his lifetime involvement in the standardbred industry, Lloyd Chisholm became known as a man of action. Many said that his real contribution to the sport was what he did for others. Chisholm’s generous legacy to harness racing in Ontario was the ultra-successful Ontario Sires Stakes program. Almost a decade before the first OSS race in 1974, Chisholm, who served as the first chairman of the Standardbred Improvement Association, was campaigning tirelessly to convince the necessary authorities that such a program was crucial to ensure the future of the industry in the province.

Chisholm was also instrumental in bringing about several other significant changes to the sport he loved. In the early 1960s a group of people wanted to build a racetrack in Nassagaweya Township. At that time he was the only person raising standardbreds in the area, so when local council sought his opinion, he went to John J. Mooney, president of the Ontario Jockey Club. Two days later the decision to build Mohawk was made. He also campaigned successfully to have a liquor license at Mohawk, which was a stone’s throw down the road from his Arawana Farm. It was a successful Guernsey cattle operation prior to becoming a home to standardbred trotters. Chisholm, who bought his first horse in 1954, sold his dairy herd in 1966. He stood Nevele Pride’s son, Laryngitis, at Arawana. Laryngitis’ best son was General D Brook, Canada’s representative in the 1985 International Trot. Chisholm’s favorite, however, was Arawana Snap Shot.

“I’ve always been a little out-going,” reflected Chisholm in a 1991 interview. “I liked to see progress. I didn’t do it to reap the glory; I did it because it was best for the industry.” Chisholm, who died in 1992 at the age of 80, was deeply honored by his induction into the HOF, saying it was the height of his accomplishments which, coming from him, was saying a great deal. An award in his name is presented annually by the Standardbred Breeders Association.