2025 Standardbred Legend Inductee
As an American who made a lasting impact on Canadian harness racing, Roberta Marie “Bobbe” Huntress spent much of her ground-breaking career north of the border. On the track, she was celebrated for her sharp driving skills and standout performances – most notably her remarkable season with Wee Irish and a stunning streak of six consecutive wins with Wee Ginger at Connaught Park in 1955. She returned to Connaught Park in 1959 and continued to compete across Canada, setting track records at Old Woodbine in 1961.
Off the track, Huntress was a vocal and courageous advocate against sexism and discrimination in the sport. In the 1960s, she challenged restrictive licensing rules that effectively barred women from participating in extended race meetings unless they had previously held such licenses – an exclusionary policy that froze out new female talent. Speaking out against these barriers, she famously said, “Arguments against our sex driving horses are often ridiculous.” She pointed out the hypocrisy of allowing women to race at dangerous, poorly maintained fair tracks while denying them access to safer, professional circuits.
Huntress’s fierce advocacy and visibility helped shine a national spotlight on harness racing. She was featured in Sports Illustrated‘s “Pat on the Back” column and appeared on the popular television show To Tell the Truth. Alongside fellow pioneers like Mildred Williams and Georgette Plouffe, she paved the way for future generations of women in racing.
With decades of service to the industry as both a skilled horsewoman and an unrelenting trailblazer, Bobbe Huntress left a powerful legacy of courage and progress. She passed away February 20, 2010 at the age of 81, but her impact on the sport continues to be felt.