Steven Condren Inducted into Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
Proud is one way to describe the iconic Canadian harness driver, Steven Condren when he learned that he would be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
The 54 year old driver has been on the top of this sport for over 30 years, and it was only natural that he would eventually earn this honour in a career, which includes a staggering 6,600 wins and over $110 million in earnings.
However, the timing of the news that he had been nominated for the induction couldn't have come at a better time for Condren, who only days earlier had learned the devastating news that he was suffering from colon cancer.
"It was good news compared to all the bad news I had since coming back from Florida," said Condren, who has spent the past seven seasons down South to avoid the harsh Canadian winters. "It puts what has been happening to me in a different light," he added.
After he learned that he had cancer, Condren worked to keep the news a secret until he was ready to share it with the Canadian horse racing industry. When his name appeared on the ballot for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, he was even more determined to keep the news to himself.
"I didn't want anybody to know that I was sick, too," he said. "I didn't want anybody voting for me because they felt sorry for me. It was hard to keep that quiet."
A week after the induction was announced, Condren had his friend Bruce Murray, VP at Woodbine Entertainment Group, put out a press release announcing his illness. The industry reacted in disbelief but flocked around Condren to offer their support.
Standing Ovation
When inaugurations were held in Mississauga last Thursday, it was clear that the biggest standing ovation went to Condren.
Despite a round of chemotherapy and radiation, he still looked fit and relaxed and was celebrating three decades of hard work, where he has earned the respect of so many of his colleagues.
Condren said that the induction was the highlight of his career.
