Austin Sorrie Drives First London Winner Of 2026

Austin Sorrie, The Raceway’s leading driver of 2025, drove the first winner of 2026, on Friday night, in London. Thats Hooligan, making just his second start for trainer Gerard Demers, used a powerful four-wide swoop, up the backside, to grab control and trot off from his rivals in 2:04 - besting HA Code Red and Downstairs Party. The ten-year-old son of Rose Run Hooligan would be winning his Raceway debut, the 13th victory of his career, for Quebec owner Francois Morin.

Thats Hooligan and Austin Sorrie after capturing the first race of 2026 in London. (The Raceway)

Sorrie would strike twice more, on the night, driving Atlas Hanover (a second winner for trainer Demers) to a 1:58.2 score and Pink Quartz to a 2:02.4 victory.

The hottest hands, on this cool and crisp night of winter racing, would belong to ace pilot Garrett Rooney who would hit the winner’s circle on four occasions… Rooney would romp with class-dropper Red Sky Tonight in 2:00.3, Ashleysbest in 1:59, Lass Shot in 2:00.2 and then walk it off for the grand slam, in the finale, aboard Jazzville in 2:01.4.

Lass Shot - for owner, trainer and breeder Britt Kennedy - was one of four winners for driver Garrett Rooney on Friday. (The Raceway)

Other winners of the program included Bettors Dream (Rob Doyle) in 2:00.2, Artsalive (Sam Fillion) in 1:59.4 and Allstar Finest (Mark MacDonell) in 2:03.1.

Live racing, in London, continues next week with Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evening start times at 5:50 ET.

Results - Western Fair Raceway - Friday January 2, 2026 | Standardbred Canada