William Robert (Billy) 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 about $40 million in earnings, he was first in annual winnings 12 times – 1952–59, 1963, 1965, 1967, and 1968 – and in heats won from 1953 to 1958.
Born in Gloversville, New York, 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 that was named Harness Horse of the Year in 1977, and Nihilator that 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 trial at Lexington in 1967.
Personal life and deathedit
Haughton was married to Dorothy Bischoff, and together they had five children, including Peter, who was also a harness driver.[2][3] His son Peter, died in an automobile accident in East Rutherford, New Jersey on January 25, 1980.[4]
billy, haughton, william, robert, billy, haughton, november, 1923, july, 1986, american, harness, driver, trainer, only, three, drivers, hambletonian, four, times, only, little, brown, five, times, only, messenger, stakes, seven, times, with, career, record, w. William Robert Billy 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 about 40 million in earnings he was first in annual winnings 12 times 1952 59 1963 1965 1967 and 1968 and in heats won from 1953 to 1958 Billy HaughtonOccupationHarness racing driver trainer ownerBorn 1923 11 23 November 23 1923Gloversville New York U S DiedJuly 15 1986 1986 07 15 aged 62 Valhalla New York U S SpouseDorothy Bischoff m 1950 wbr Children5 including Peter HaughtonCareer wins4 910Major racing winsGolden West Trot 1949 American Trotting Classic 1958 1962 1976 1978 Dexter Cup 1966 1967 Prix d Ete 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 amp 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 awardsUnited States Leading Driver by Earnings 1952 59 1963 1965 1967 68 HonoursUnited States Harness Racing Hall of Fame 1968 Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame 1986 William R Haughton Memorial PaceSignificant horsesArmbro Omaha Green Speed Handle With Care Laverne Hanover Nihilator Romulus Hanover Rum Customer Silent MajorityEarly life and career editBorn in Gloversville New York 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 that was named Harness Horse of the Year in 1977 and Nihilator that 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 trial at Lexington in 1967 Personal life and death editHaughton was married to Dorothy Bischoff and together they had five children including Peter who was also a harness driver 2 3 His son Peter died in an automobile accident in East Rutherford New Jersey on January 25 1980 4 On July 15 1986 Haughton died in Valhalla New York from head injuries sustained at Yonkers Raceway at the age of 62 5 His wife Dorothy died on March 31 2019 at her home in Newfields New Hampshire at the age of 87 6 References edit 25 Years since Haughton s Passing Standardbred Canada Retrieved 22 February 2016 Bill Haughton Succumbs to Harness Race Injuries Dorothy Haughton 87 dies U S Trotting News Peter Haughton dies in automobile mishap Bill Haughton Succumbs to Harness Race Injuries Dorothy Haughton 87 dies U S Trotting News nbsp This American horse racing biographical article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Haughton amp oldid 1187852604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
