106th Annual Millarville Races

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While much may have changed around us in the last century, there remains at least one day where the clock can be turned back, allowing local farmers, cowboys and acreage owners to gather again for the old-style, hell-bent-for-leather Millarville Stock Horse Race, a grassroots fixture at the 106th Annual Millarville Races Friday, July 1st Canada Day, at the Millarville Race Track.


The rousing, 350 yard race of local horses under a western saddle, with bragging rights on the line for the next year just as it was in 1905 when first held, is a crowd favourite and leads off the day at 12:30 pm followed by the return of other historic events, including the Ladies Side Saddle Race and a hilarious Pack Horse Race to wind things up.

Jesse Loree, riding One Cool Chickee, of DeWinton was triumphant last year in the Stock Horse Race, joining a long and storied line of past female winners of the event, usually over an otherwise all male field.
Of course, the meat of the day is the popular running of six pari-mutuel thoroughbred races with the first post-time at 1:00 pm.

As with most afternoon events staged in a country setting with origins based on old west values, it's a fun-filled day for families, with three-legged and sack races in front of the grandstand for the kids while adults can enjoy a beer garden.

“As you might imagine, we have generations of local families who have all grown up with the Races, coming out each year to participate or take part in all the other activities we have on the day,” said Duane Kelly, chairman of the Millarville Races committee. “Some families can trace their participation back through many generations.”

“But it's also a great day for our friends in local towns or Calgary who want a unique, fun, summer afternoon in the country,” he added. “We have a lot of people coming out from the city or the nearby towns and we welcome them.”

Admission is $10 per adult, $5 for kids 12 to 17 and children 11 and under can enter free. There is a pancake breakfast starting at 10:00am for the first 100 entrants to the grounds.

The Millarville Racetrack is located only 35 minutes southwest of Calgary and often serves as a regular “set” for “Heartland,” the internationally syndicated television show produced by CBC.

As with all community-based initiatives, new volunteers or sponsors are always welcome, not only for the Races but all MRAS events. For more information, contact Mr. Kelly via the MRAS office at 403-931-3411.