John Campbell, raised in a family of Ontario jockeys, understood the prestige of the Hambletonian. He vividly remembers when his close friend Ray Recombé won the race in 1981 at Meadowlands. “It was more than just a big event,” Campbell said. “It was truly special.”
This Saturday marks a historic milestone as Harness Racing’s premier event celebrates its 100th running of the Hambletonian. Although harness racing, like thoroughbred racing, no longer holds the same dominant place in American sports, the Hambletonian’s rich legacy and its growing popularity in Europe have helped sustain its enduring appeal.
Harness Racing Hall of Fame Driver John Campbell, who has six Hambletonian wins and participated for a record 32 consecutive years from 1983 to 2014, reflected, “Keeping this event going for a century is something I never imagined when it started. It was held through tough times, like the Depression and World War II, showing incredible consistency.”
Now serving as president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, Campbell oversees an event named after the foundation sire of Standardbred horses. The race’s prize money has grown substantially, now reaching a million dollars, compared to the modest $75,000 at its inaugural run at Syracuse’s New York State Fair in 1926.
The Hambletonian returned to Lexington, Kentucky, before settling in Goshen, New York, as well as Du Quoin, Illinois, and East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tom Charters, who worked with the Hambletonian Association from 1984 to 2017, recalled, “Even during wartime, they held the race at Yonkers for gasoline allocation. That resilience adds to its charm.”
Another unique tradition is the trophy from which winning horses can drink, and the event’s iconic branding, including its race name and horse logo, is always spotlighted. Charters compares it to Indianapolis’ famous milk-drinking tradition, saying, “It has a similarly iconic status for me.”
Campbell’s favorite memories include his first win with Mac Robel in 1987 and a triumphant comeback aboard Taliabu in 2006, a horse trained by his brother Jim and named after former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Chris Muselian, who worked at Meadowlands from 1992 to 2007, recalled memorable wins by amateur Malvern Burrows and highlighted efforts by Swedish owner/trainer/driver Stephen Melander in 2000 to boost European involvement. “That really gave the event an international flair,” Muselian noted.
This year’s Hambletonian features 10 horses, nine of whom are trained by Europeans, drawing significant attention from Scandinavia and France. Moira Fanning, the association’s COO since 2017, projects over $9 million in global betting for the 100th race. She has helped maintain the event’s international presence with crossover bets from Saratoga and national TV coverage, expecting 8,000 to 10,000 spectators on-site.
Though attendance peaked at 31,000 in 2005, the current limit is about a third of that. “Harness racing is now a niche, local sport with lost ground as many tracks have closed,” Fanning explained. “The racing industry once monopolized gambling for two centuries, which is no longer the case. It took great effort to keep this event prominent on national TV and maintain its stature.”
Often likened to the Kentucky Derby of harness racing, the Hambletonian remains the sport’s most prestigious and lucrative trotting race. Despite challenges facing the sport overall, the Hambletonian continues to be its crown jewel, with McErlean noting, “It’s the wealthiest and most important race on the calendar, with significant international prize money.”
Fan Take: The 100th Hambletonian stands as a testament to the enduring spirit and tradition of harness racing. For fans, it highlights the sport’s rich history and growing global appeal, offering hope for harness racing’s future relevance and continued celebration around the world.
