Billy Haughton
Encyclopedia
Billy Haughton, or William R. Haughton (November 23, 1923 – July 15, 1986) was an American
harness driver
and trainer, and one of the most-winning drivers ever. 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 c. $40 Million in earnings, he was first in annual winnings twelve times – 1952-59, 1963, 1965, 1967 and 1968 – and in heats won from 1953-58.
Born in Gloversville, NY
, Haughton came from a farming background where he competed in fairground races before coming into harness driving. In the early 1960s he started developing a stable of his own. His best horses were Rum Customer that won the pacing Triple Crown
in 1968, and Green Speed that was named harness horse of the year in 1977. With his Meadow Paige, Haughton paced a world record 1:55.2 minute mile in a time trail at Lexington
in 1967. He died in Valhalla
, New York
from head injuries sustained at Yonkers Raceway
.
Haughton’s son, Peter, who was also a driver, died in a car crash in 1980.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
harness driver
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
and trainer, and one of the most-winning drivers ever. He was one of only three drivers to win the Hambletonian four times, the only one to win the Little Brown Jug
Little Brown Jug (horse racing)
The Little Brown Jug is a harness race for three-year-old pacing standardbreds hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946 at the County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio. The race takes place every year on the third Thursday after Labor Day. Along with the Hambletonian, a race for...
five times, and the only one to win the Messenger Stakes
Messenger Stakes
The Messenger Stakes is an American harness racing event for 3-year-old pacing horses. It was organized in 1956 at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, New York to join with the Cane Pace and the Little Brown Jug to create the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers...
seven times. With a career record of 4,910 wins and c. $40 Million in earnings, he was first in annual winnings twelve times – 1952-59, 1963, 1965, 1967 and 1968 – and in heats won from 1953-58.
Born in Gloversville, NY
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Haughton came from a farming background where he competed in fairground races before coming into harness driving. In the early 1960s he started developing a stable of his own. His best horses were Rum Customer that won the pacing Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers
The Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers consists of the following horse races:#Cane Pace, held at Freehold Raceway in Freehold, New Jersey#Little Brown Jug, held at the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio...
in 1968, and Green Speed that was named harness horse of the year in 1977. With his Meadow Paige, Haughton paced a world record 1:55.2 minute mile in a time trail at Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
in 1967. He died in Valhalla
Valhalla, New York
Valhalla is an unincorporated hamlet and census-designated place that is located within the town of Mount Pleasant, New York, in Westchester County. Its population was 3,162 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from head injuries sustained at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers Raceway, founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track, is a one-half-mile standardbred harness racing dirt track and New York state-approved slots racino located at the intersection of Central Park Avenue and Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers, New York near the New York City border...
.
Haughton’s son, Peter, who was also a driver, died in a car crash in 1980.