Named in honour of the World Class Standardbred horse, Cam Fella, the award recognises extreme meritorious service to the Canadian harness racing industry.

Standardbred Canada established the Cam Fella Award in 1997 and fittingly its namesake was the first recipient, acknowledging Cam Fella’s unparalleled contributions to the sport of harness racing.

In 2000, the Honourable Michael D. Harris, former Premier of the Province of Ontario, was recognised for his government's initiatives to revitalise horse racing.

The award is given, when warranted, to an individual or group who has displayed some of the qualities that made Cam Fella one of the greatest names in Canadian harness racing history.

Minister Murphy has become a household name in Atlantic Canadian racing circles.

In his portfolio as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for the Province of Prince Edward Island, he engineered an unprecedented process to establish harness racing as a key industry in PEI and Atlantic Canada.

He strongly supported the establishment of the Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association.

As Minister, he has strongly supported the grassroots of the industry, through support for an expanded matinee racing program and development of stabling facilities in rural areas.

Minister Murphy and his government have demonstrated their commitment to the long-term viability of the industry by the provision of an annual $1 million grant.

A large part of this grant is earmarked for purse money which has been critical in maintaining quality horse racing on PEI.

Another portion is allocated to the Atlantic Sires Stakes program and PEI Colt Stakes program.

He has also been responsible for securing funding for stabling facilities, special events and breeders awards for the Lady Slipper stakes.

Minister Murphy’s contributions to the Atlantic Breeders Crown have firmly established it as a marquis event.

He was also instrumental in securing and hosting a leg of the 2003 World Driving Championship at Charlottetown Driving Park.

A national committee of 16 representing the Standardbred community, who vote upon those nominated, determine the Cam Fella Award winner by secret ballot.

A winner must receive a majority of the votes.

Canadian-owned, trained and driven, Cam Fella was an outstanding racehorse in the early 1980’s winning 56 races, over $2 million in purse money and two consecutive Horse Of The Year titles in North America.

As a stallion, Cam Fella sired numerous world champions and horses with earnings in excess of $68 million.

Unfortunately Cam Fella suffered from testicular cancer and in early 1997, was retired from breeding.

Once recovered, Cam Fella and his trainer-driver Pat Crowe were reunited for a goodwill tour of Canada and the United States in 1997.

Cam Fella died in May of 2001 at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he had lived for several years and served as an outstanding ambassador of the Standardbred breed.

The creation of the Cam Fella Award was the harness racing industry’s way of ensuring that Cam Fella’s contribution to the sport is never forgotten.

The Cam Fella Award will be presented to The Honourable Mitchell Murphy at the annual O’Brien Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga.

Courtesy Of Kathy Wade Vlaar, Industry Communications, Standardbred Canada