Of Standardbred Stables

Standardbred stable stars Abdallah and Hambletonian are readily recognized in harness racing circles. Early speedsters on the track were Dean Hanover, Billy Direct.

Because of neglect during the Civil War, Abdallah, sire of Hambletonian, died in 1865. He is distinguished for foaling several foundation harness racing sires.

1:571/2 --- Adios's best racing mile time

Hanover Shoe Farm, Pennsylvania, purchased Adios for breeding from Delvin Miller at the top price of $500,000 in 1955. Adios had speed, and as a noted sire, he sprinkled champion offspring throughout the harness racing world.

1:55 --- Billy Direct

Billy Direct, a speedy son of Napoleon Direct and Gay Forbes, was foaled in 1934 in Tennessee. At two, he paced a mile in 2:051/4,an age record. At Lexington in 1938, he shattered the mile record of the undefeated Dan Patch, hitting the wire in 1:55. He died in 1947. His record held until 1961.

2:101/4 --- Dillon Axworthy

Foaled in 1910, Dillon Axworthy won most of his racing competition, but his most notable contribution to harness racing was siring Dean Hanover at Hanover Shoe Farm.

1:581/2 --- Dean Hanover

Dean Hanover set a world record as a three-year-old in 1937, driven by Doc Parshall and scoring three heats each in just over the two minute barrier. In the 1930s, with five different drivers, he raced to record-breaking miles. His personal best mile (above) was reined by 11-year-old Alma Sheppard at Lexington in September of 1937 while he raced under the name Mr. Watt.

Hanover Shoe Farm was so impressed that its proprietors purchased the colt back. He had been foaled at the Hanover farm and sold at auction as a juvenile. Dean Hanover went on to produce many winning harness horses as one of the prolific Hanover stable's best racers and sires.