Author Topic: Happy 100th Bill Haughton  (Read 34200 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Harness Stats

  • Stakes Horse
  • *****
  • Posts: 1262
Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« on: August 30, 2023, 02:49:21 PM »
In a couple months it will be the 100th birthday of Billy Haughton.  To me he was a hero like Mickey Mantle, both ruled NY at the same time too.  (Billy probably made more money considering how little baseball players were paid in those days)

I never met the man but perhaps some of you have some interesting stories or at least can name some of your favorite's of his.  Mine was Handle With Care.  Here is a summary of some of his incredible achievements

He was one of only three drivers to win the Hambletonian four times, the only one to win the Little Brown Jug five times, and the only one to win the Messenger Stakes seven times. With a career record of 4,910 wins and about $40 million in earnings, he was first in annual winnings 12 times – 1952–59, 1963, 1965, 1967, and 1968 – and in heats won from 1953 to 1958.

Meadow Ford

  • Stakes Horse
  • *****
  • Posts: 1013
Re: Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2023, 10:10:02 PM »
I spent five winters on the training side of Pompano.
I dodged many sets of the Green Wave.
Back when they trained 5, 6, or 7 in a set and three trips.
That said there was a Green Wave coming at you at all times.

One year Billy sunburned his face real bad. Fishing (maybe drinking) out on the ocean. His face was peeling real bad.
He fixed up a screen and white towel to cover his fase so he could train, and keep the dirt of his face.  He looked like a bandit going into a bank.
I grew up in the mid-west idealizing Haughton, Miller, Dancer ETC.
I am just an old horse trainer still going around in circles. Sometimes Fast. Sometimes Half-Fast.

Generation XYZ

  • Elite
  • ******
  • Posts: 3573
  • HARNESS RACING IS DEAD, CALL THE CORONER!
Re: Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2023, 10:01:09 PM »
I enjoy hearing these old stories really does bring back the nostalgia of harness racing.
Pay to Play, Play to Win!

Harness Stats

  • Stakes Horse
  • *****
  • Posts: 1262
Re: Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2023, 09:48:29 AM »
They made a documentary about "The Green Wave"  So sad that just a few years later they both were gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvC_3CsquBY

Meadow Ford

  • Stakes Horse
  • *****
  • Posts: 1013
Re: Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2023, 12:59:54 PM »
They made a documentary about "The Green Wave"  So sad that just a few years later they both were gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvC_3CsquBY
Thank You for posting.
I had not seen that documentary.
First a smile then goosebumps then a tear.
I am just an old horse trainer still going around in circles. Sometimes Fast. Sometimes Half-Fast.

Mailbox Money

  • Stakes Horse
  • *****
  • Posts: 1231
Re: Happy 100th Bill Haughton
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2023, 08:43:24 PM »
I liked the saddle pads on some of the 2yr olds that instead of a number on them, they said FOR SALE on them! ngc3

 

shout out

Refresh History
  • Sound off !
  • Sweet: 50/50, 0.18 in. not sure it'll make it good if it happens.  earlier in the week it was an 1".
    June 05, 2026, 09:55:53 PM
  • Calhoun: Decent chance of thunderstorms at Belmont post time.  ngc3 ngc3
    June 05, 2026, 09:45:52 PM
  • Sweet: Ya know when McMNair that phony stages a race.  Burns ridiculous unchallenged fractions.  Then loses and puts his head down, like shux.  Never seen a whole colony of drivers whose death would be celebrated  ngc3
    June 05, 2026, 09:00:58 PM
  • Sweet: I think the 9th at Mohawk the 5 is live, breaker though be ready to cancel  tmbz1
    June 05, 2026, 07:27:57 PM
  • Sweet: Congrats BT 11.chrz BT  ngc3  Any sweet horses around, all mine are sour pusses  ;D
    June 05, 2026, 07:16:35 PM
  • Bitter Truth: I'll be damned. ngc3 Tough to keep up with everything and get anything done. Must have been a thin group. ;D Loked like he didn't have alot of heart last time. Oh well, we all have to lose it some day.
    June 05, 2026, 07:13:20 PM
  • JT: Good news. Bitter Truth finally popped the cherry and broke his maiden in race 6 at Santa Anita  ngc3
    June 05, 2026, 07:01:55 PM
  • Sweet: After that long photo  ngc3 it's the damn SPA...15 minutes to determine a DH. Rat humps, and Prat ran like an idiot down the stretch too, didn't own them that time!  ;D
    June 05, 2026, 06:41:42 PM
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2026, SimplePortal