Billy Haughton

William R. Haughton (November 23, 1923 – July 15, 1986) was an American harness driver and trainer. 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.

Billy Haughton
OccupationHarness racing driver, trainer, owner
Born(1923-11-23)November 23, 1923
Gloversville, New York, USA
DiedJuly 15, 1986(1986-07-15) (aged 62)
Valhalla, New York, USA
Spouse
Dorothy Bischoff
​
(
m. 1950; died 1986)
Children5; including Peter Haughton
Career wins4,910
Major racing wins
Golden West Trot (1949)
American Trotting Classic
(1958, 1962, 1976, 1978)
Dexter Cup (1966, 1967)
Prix d'Été (1967)
Adios Pace (1967, 1969, 1974)
Glen Garnsey Memorial Pace (1969, 1976)
American Pacing Classic (1974)
Little Brown Jugette (1974)
Canadian Trotting Classic (1976, 1986)
Maple Leaf Trot (1979)
Queen City Pace (1980)
Woodrow Wilson Pace (1981)

Breeders Crown wins:
Breeders Crown 3YO Filly Pace (1984)
Breeders Crown 3YO Colt & Gelding Pace (1985)
Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Pace (1985)

U.S. Pacing Triple Crown wins:
Little Brown Jug
(1955, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1974)
Cane Pace
(1955, 1967, 1968)
Messenger Stakes
(1956, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976)

U.S. Trotting Triple Crown wins:
Hambletonian Stakes
(1974, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1985)

Yonkers Trot
(1976, 1977)
Racing awards
United States Leading Driver by Earnings (1952-59, 1963, 1965, 1967-68)
Honours
United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame (1968)
Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame (1986)
William R. Haughton Memorial Pace
Significant horses
Armbro Omaha, Green Speed, Handle With Care, Laverne Hanover, Nihilator, Romulus Hanover, Rum Customer, Silent Majority

Early life and career

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, Green Speed who was named Harness Horse of the Year in 1977 and Nihilator who was named Harness Horse of the Year for 1985.[1] With his Meadow Paige, Haughton paced a world record 1:55.2 minute mile in a time trail at Lexington in 1967.

Personal life and death

Haughton was married to Dorothy Bischoff, and together they had five children.[2][3]

On July 15, 1986, Haughton died in Valhalla, New York from head injuries sustained at Yonkers Raceway at the age of 62.[4]

Haughton's son, Peter, who was also a driver, died in a car crash in 1980.[5] His wife Dorothy, died on March 31, 2019 at the age of 87 in Newfields, New Hampshire.[6]

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References
  1. 25 Years since Haughton's Passing, Standardbred Canada, Retrieved 22 February 2016
  2. Bill Haughton Succumbs to Harness Race Injuries
  3. http://ustrottingnews.com/dorothy-haughton-87-dies/
  4. Bill Haughton Succumbs to Harness Race Injuries
  5. Peter Haughton dies in automobile mishap
  6. http://ustrottingnews.com/dorothy-haughton-87-dies/


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