The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame extends our condolences to the family and friends of CHRHF 2001 Driver/Trainer Inductee William (Bud) Fritz who passed away earlier this week. During the 1980s and early nineties Bud’s name was synonymous with harness racing in Ontario. That success and notoriety grew beyond his home province with horses such as Apache’s Fame (CHRHF 2000) and A Worthy Lad (CHRHF 2010).

The greatest legacy Bud leaves behind may well be the many extended family members who continue to be actively involved in harness racing today.

In 2020 Hanover Raceway introduced the Bud Fritz Rising Star Award, awarded to an up and coming trainer or driver that shows potential to become a star in our business. A very worthy tribute to a hometown hero.