Brendan Abraham celebrated two big wins on the day of the 60th Labour Day Classic.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 34-30 CFL victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers was certainly something to savour.

Then there was the matter of adding nearly a quarter of a million dollars to the bank account.

“This is the first time I’ve really won anything,” Abraham, who resides in White Bear with his wife, Holly, said on Friday while visiting Mosaic Stadium to receive a cheque for $744.655.50 — the reward for purchasing the winning ticket in the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation 50/50 draw (presented by ISC) on Aug. 31.

The previous record payout, from Labour Day weekend in 2024, was $607,345. That eclipsed the 2023 standard of $535,073.

Abraham purchased his lucky ticket at the White Bear Hotel.

“I usually buy tickets,” he said. “It was in the first quarter, so I just had that feeling for some reason.

“My wife was like, ‘You’re kind of missing the game.’ I thought, ‘I should wait until halftime,’ but I just had that feeling that I should buy it right now.

“Good thing I did, because it was the first ticket on my list of 20.”

Or so he soon discovered.

“Lo and behold, my phone was ringing and the texts were coming in,” Abraham said. “I was thinking, ‘I guess I won.’

“I guess everyone was looking on the website and saw my name on there. Everyone was asking if I had bought a ticket and I was like, ‘Yeah.’

“So then I looked at my e-mail and checked it out and, sure enough, it was mine.”

The good news quickly circulated.

“I jumped up from the table and said, ‘I kind of won three quarters of a million dollars,’ ” he continued. “Everyone was like, ‘What?!’ It was quite a party after that.

“It’s indescribable, really. My hands were shaking with excitement. It still doesn’t even feel real.”

Reality began to set in on Friday morning, though, when Abraham — an oil-field worker — woke up after five hours’ sleep and prepared to make the eastward drive to Regina to pick up the grand prize … or the 744-grand prize, in this case.

Abraham and his wife were joined on the excursion by Angela Boyer, Holly’s best friend. Regina-based Pearce Jones (Abraham’s nephew) met the happy travellers when they arrived in the Queen City.

Moments before the cheque presentation, the group walked through the “Bring ’Em Out” tunnel and on to the playing surface during a suitably sunny afternoon.

Photos were taken, an interview was conducted and, thanks to Boyer, cartwheels were performed.

The next step was to return to White Bear, located 80 kilometres northwest of Swift Current, and surroundings that will soon change.

“We’re currently in an older farmhouse, so I think we’re going to get a new house,” Abraham said.

“I think we’re going to put most of it away and invest it — and I’ll probably pay off my truck.”

And when it is time for winter driving …

“There will be a beach somewhere with my name on it,” Abraham said.

Proceeds from all 50/50 draws throughout the CFL season are used by the Roughrider Foundation to directly benefit amateur football in Saskatchewan.

One of the beneficiaries is the PFC’s Regina Thunder, of which Jones — a former linebacker — is an alumnus.

The next 50/50 draw will take place on Sept. 27, when the Roughriders visit the Edmonton Elks. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit riders5050.ca.