The Harness Horse of the Year is an honor recognizing the top harness racing horse in the United States. The award is selected by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), which issues the annual Dan Patch Awards.
The inaugural honor was awarded to Victory Song of Castleton Farms Stables, named the "Harness Horse of 1947" by a committee that consisted of 50 harness racing writers, radio commentators, and sports editors. Victory Song picked up 23 first-place votes, to lead a field of 22 horses that had been nominated for the honor, edging stablemate Hoot Mon, which finished second in the balloting. Victory Song had set the harness racing record for stallions with a time of 1:57.6 in the mile. E. Roland Harriman, president of the Trotting Horse Club of America, announced the award and indicated that the enthusiasm shown for the honor led to the decision to make the "Harness Horse of the Year" an annual event.Staff. "VICTORY SONG TOPS 1947 HARNESS POLL; Castleton Trotter Selected as 'Horse of Year' -- Hoot Mon, Stablemate Is Next", The New York Times, December 7, 1947. Accessed February 19, 2009.
Good Time became the first horse to win the honor two times, winning in both 1949 and 1952. Good Time held the single-season money record at the time of $110,299 and received 80 first-place votes from the 99 writers participating in that year's balloting, after finishing first in 23 starts in 1952, with three second-place finishes and two finishes in third.via Associated Press. "Good Time Is Selected Harness Racer of Year", The New York Times, December 9, 1952. Accessed February 19, 2009.
In 1956, Scott Frost became the first horse to win the Harness of the Year honors in consecutive years, earning the first place on the ballots of 66 of the 95 writers participating that year. Driven by Joe O'Brien, Scott Frost won 18 of 21 starts in 1956, and came in second in the three other races.Staff. "Scott Frost Takes 1956 Harness Poll; SCOTT FROST WINS 56 HARNESS POLL", The New York Times, December 16, 1956. Accessed February 19, 2009.
In 2022, Bulldog Hanover became the first unanimous choice for Horse of the Year, receiving all 136 votes, after a season in which he became the fastest harness horse in history with a mile of 1:45.4 at The Meadowlands and won nine major stakes races. He also became the third horse to win the Stanley F. Bergstein Proximity-Achievement Award, the highest honor voted on by USHWA.
Past winners Horses that have been recognized as Harness Horse of the Year are:Harness Racing Champions from 1952-2000 , Odds On racing. Accessed February 19, 2009.Harness Horse of the Year, Infoplease. Accessed February 19, 2009. +^Also named Canadian Horse of the Year (first awarded 1989)†Member of the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame*Member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame§Unanimous selection Year Horse Gait1947Victory Song †Trotter1948Rodney †Trotter1949Good Time †Pacer1950Proximity †Trotter1951Pronto Don †Trotter1952Good Time (2) †Pacer1953Hi Lo's ForbesPacer1954Stenographer †Trotter1955Scott Frost †Trotter1956Scott Frost (2) †Trotter1957TorpidPacer1958Emily's Pride †Trotter1959Bye Bye Byrd †Pacer1960Adios Butler †Pacer1961Adios Butler (2) †Pacer1962Su Mac Lad †Trotter1963Speedy Scot †Trotter1964Bret Hanover †Pacer1965Bret Hanover (2) †Pacer1966Bret Hanover (3) †Pacer1967Nevele Pride † Trotter1968Nevele Pride (2) †Trotter1969Nevele Pride (3) †Trotter1970Fresh Yankee †*Trotter1971Albatross †*Pacer1972Albatross (2) †*Pacer1973Sir DalraePacer1974Delmonica Hanover †Trotter1975Savoir †Trotter1976Keystone OrePacer1977Green Speed †Trotter1978Abercrombie †Pacer1979Niatross †*Pacer1980Niatross (2) †*Pacer1981Fan Hanover †*Pacer1982Cam Fella †*Pacer1983Cam Fella (2) †*Pacer1984Fancy CrownTrotter1985Nihilator †Pacer1986Forrest SkipperPacer1987Mack Lobell †Trotter1988Mack Lobell (2) †Trotter1989Matt's Scooter ^†*Pacer1990Beach Towel †Pacer1991Precious Bunny ^†*Pacer1992Artsplace ^†*Pacer1993Staying Together ^Pacer1994Cam's Card Shark †Pacer1995CR Kay SuzieTrotter1996Continentalvictory †Trotter1997Malabar Man †Trotter1998Moni Maker †Trotter1999Moni Maker (2) †Trotter2000Gallo Blue Chip †Pacer2001Bunny Lake †Pacer2002Real Desire ^†*Pacer2003No Pan IntendedPacer2004Rainbow Blue ^†Pacer2005Rocknroll Hanover †*Pacer2006GlidemasterTrotter2007Donato Hanover †Trotter2008Somebeachsomewhere ^†*Pacer2009Muscle Hill ^†Trotter2010Rock N Roll Heaven †Pacer2011San Pail ^*Trotter2012Chapter Seven †Trotter2013Bee A Magician ^†Trotter2014JK She'salady ^Pacer2015Wiggle It JiggleitWiggle It Jiggleit named Horse of the Year, Daily Racing Form, Retrieved 30 October 2016Pacer2016Always B Miki †Pacer2017Hannelore Hanover ^†Trotter2018McWicked ^†*Pacer2019Shartin NPacer2020Tall Dark StrangerPacer2021Test of FaithPacer2022Bulldog Hanover ^*§Pacer2023ConfederatePacer2024Twin B Joe FreshPacer2025Beau Jangles^Pacer
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