CAM FELLA (1979 -2001)
A Kentucky-bred Standardbred, Cam Fella was voted harness racing's Horse of the year in the U.S. and Canada twice. Known as "The Pacing Machine," he had more consecutive two-minute wins than any other Standardbred in history. His remarkable race record was surpassed only by his outstanding career at stud, where he sired six champions and his progeny earned more than $86 million. He lived at the Kentucky Horse Park for four years and is buried behind the Hall of Champions.
CAM FELLA (1979 -2001)
Sired by Most Happy Fella, out of Nan-Cam, by Bret Hanover, Cam Fella was foaled on May 14, 1979. He was bred by Wilford Cameron, and was foaled at Walnut Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. He was then bought as a two-year-old by Norm Clements and Norm Faulkner of Ontario, Canada and trained by Pat Crowe.
Known as "The Pacing Machine," Cam Fella last raced in 1983 and completed his career with 61 wins in 80 starts, and earned $2,041,360, making him the richest Standardbred at the time. Eighteen years since he last raced, his 28 consecutive victories still stand as the longest winning stretch in the sport. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for his racetrack accomplishments, and in 1998 was inducted into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
Cam Fella succeeded his racing exploits with a phenomenal career as a sire at Stonegate Farm in New Jersey. His 13 crops of horses have earned more than $86 million, and include such champions as Camtastic, Goalie Jeff, Precious Bunny, Presidential Ball, Cams Card Shark, and Elllamony. Cam Fella sired 14 millionaires, and has a record number of 12 offspring that have paced the mile in less than 1:50.
When Cam Fella retired from racing, he did so with remarkable credentials. He was voted harness racing's "Horse of the Year" in 1982 and 1983, in both the US and Canada. He still has more consecutive 2:00 wins, 32 of them, than any other Standardbred in history. During his career, he captured such major stakes events as the Cane Pace, Messenger, Canadian Pacing Derby, Prix d'Ete, Provincial Cup, World Cup, American-National, US Pacing Championship, Mohawk Gold Cup, Frank Ryan Memorial and more.
On May 9, 2001, Cam Fella was humanely euthanized due to renal failure following a progressive battle with cancer. He was 22 years old. Cam Fella's retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park in 1997 came after he was gelded due to his previous battle with testicular cancer that ended his stud career.
Like the other great Hall of Champions horses that died in retirement at the park, Cam Fella was buried near the Hall of Champions barn.
Return to Memorial of Past Champions
Standardbred Pacer Bay Stallion (foaled May 14, 1979)
15.1 hands
by Most Happy Fella - Nan Cam by Bret Hanover
Owners: Cam Fella Syndicate
Breeder: Wilfred Cameron
Trainer/Driver: Pat Crowe
Accomplishments
Voted Harness Horse of the Year - 1982 and 1983 in U.S. and Canada
Champion Three-year-old Pacer - 1982
Pacing Horse of the Year - 1982
Champion Aged Pacer - 1983
Pacer of the Year - 1983
Inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the American Harness Racing Hall of Fame
Posted more consecutive 2:00 wins than any other Standardbred in history with 32
Won 28 consecutive races and was known as "The Pacing Machine"
Nation's leading Standardbred sire in 1995
Retired as richest Standardbred in the history of harness racing -- 1983
Sired 13 crops of foals, including three-year-olds of 2000, who have earned in excess of $100 Million
Sire of 14 millionaires and 4 winners of "The Little Brown Jug"
Held track record at Roosevelt, Sportsman's Park, Edmonton, Greenwood, Mohawk, Pompano Park, & Cloverdale
Won two legs of the Pacing Triple crown - the Cane Pace and Messenger Pace in 1982
Won the Canadian Pacing Triple Crown, Canadian Pacing Derby, Prix d'Ete, Provincial Cup, World Cup, American-National, U.S. Pacing Championship, Mohawk Gold Cup, & Frank Ryan Memorial.
Cam Fella arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on December 5, 1997 after being gelded that spring due to testicular cancer. He passed away on May 9, 2001, at the age of 22, due to cancer.
Cam Fella's Career Record Totals and Pedigree
| Year | Age | Starts | First | Second | Third | Earnings |
| 1981 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | $17,588 |
| 1982 | 3 | 33 | 28 | 2 | 0 | $879,723 |
| 1983 | 4 | 36 | 30 | 4 | 2 | $1,144,056 |
| Totals | * | 80 | 61 | 9 | 5 | $2,041,367 |

