Undermzé and Unbemlded

or the past half century, the

Chappell name was well known in

the horse racing industry in the Atlantic area. In particular, john. Lester. Graham, Junior and Clifford had paid their dues and earned a spot for their contribution to this sport; however, it was Gary Chappell who made people in the industry take notice. Quietly and uncer- emoniously, he reached 2,000 wins and $1 million in total purse earnings. At one time he was involved in a torrid race with David O’Brien for the most wins at the Charlottetown Driving Park with Gary leading by four. Gary commented. “I hope that both of us remain healthy for the rest of the season." Quiet and unas— suming by nature, Gary Chappell became one of the most popular catch—drivers at the GDP. because he was a very talent— ed driver. He consistently drove in 73 per cent of the races each card at the GDP. and Summerside Raceway for a number of years.

At the age of 15, Gary Chappell was first introduced to race horses by his uncle Graham. 21 very talented Island horseman. It happened at the CDP It all started with a horse by the name of Mr. P L owned by Layton Trainor. Gary received most of his early training from Graham

Photo: Gail iV'IacDonald

whom he worked with for about one year. He also got pointers from other family members and he just kept on learning a little here and a little there wherever he could. Gary stated that at this early stage in his career he remem— bered admiring the efforts of Garry MacDonald and Wally Hennessey who were doing well on the Atlantic circuit at that time. In 2008, Gary Chappell‘s talent and achievements at the GDP. and other tracks earned him awards and recogni— tion like the two talented drivers he had admired many years ago.

Gary opened a public stable in 1994 and some of his early owners included Bob Bowness, Alyre Arsenault and Cam Trail. He and his wife, Colleen, with Derek Hickox, operated a stable of 14 horses at the GDP driver of standardbreds and the daughter of well known and respected Island horseman Rev. Wayne Pike. Gary and Colleen had two children, Brady and Kirsten, aged 11 and five respectively. Gary stated, “Brady will jog an easy one. He likes jogging.“

Colleen was also a licensed

The consensus among the railbirds at the GDP. was that Gary Chappell always seemed to be training or jogging a horse

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