A lifelong dream became reality for Jamie Laboucane on Sunday night (July 12, 2026) as the St. Walburg chuckwagon driver captured his first-ever Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship.
The 2026 title caps off years of near-misses for Laboucane, who finished runner-up in both 2024 and 2025 before finally breaking through in the Dash for Cash.
The victory was the culmination of a dominant Stampede performance. Laboucane posted the fastest time on five of the 10 nights of racing and entered Championship Sunday as the aggregate leader after recording the best nine-day cumulative time.
After crossing the finish line to secure the title, an emotional Laboucane said he was still trying to take it all in. The championship fulfilled a dream that began when he was just six years old.
The St. Walburg racer credited much of his success to his family, which has deep roots in the sport. The Laboucane family has been involved in chuckwagon racing for nearly 50 years, with his father and extended family helping build the experience and knowledge that led to Sunday’s breakthrough victory.
Laboucane’s win marks a major milestone in a career that has steadily climbed the ranks of professional chuckwagon racing and cements his place among the sport’s elite competitors.
