The Millarville Race Track

The Millarville races, introduced by the early British settlers, were the continuation of a racing tradition in England and Ireland. The first Race Committee was formed on June 3, 1905, when the residents of Millarville met to discuss the possible organization of an event. The land for the race tract was granted to the Committee by Raymond DeMalherbe rent-free for the first thirty-five eyars. The first Millarville races were held later that month, making the race meet the oldest in Alberta.

The track lay in an east-west direction and was simply marked out on the ground. In 1906, an inside rail was built and an outside rail followed. In 1911, the first shed, with thirty stalls, was constructed with a committee room at one end. The stalls were rented out for a dollar for the duration of the meet. Later a grandstand was built over the stalls. During the First World War, racing was discontinued at the track in 1916 and 1917, but resumed in 1918 when the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross.

In 1940, the rent-free lease expired and the race track reverted to the land owners, but the club members were able to purchase it outright with monies raised through a debenture sale. In 1951 parimutuels were introduced under federal regulations and the Millarville Race Track came to be listed in the roster of Canada's leading racing centers. By 1964, the Millarville Administration Board had been established to oversee the activities of the race track and to coordinate the various committees involved at the grounds. Then in 1969, the Millarville Race Track, the Race Track Hall Association, and the Priddis and Millarville Agricultural Societies amalgamated as the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society.

Over the years, new buildings have been added and improvements made to the track and grounds, many through local donations. The Millarville races are still heald annually on July 1st and feature other sports events as well. In August an old fashioned fair is held at the race track, and these two important social events attract thousands of visitors each year.