“They don’t time trial much anymore, you can’t use a Cheetah sulky anymore and I don’t drive anymore, so it all went together,”
laughed Bill O'Donnell, who guided Cambest to a 1:46.1 time trial in 1993 - a time that still stands as the fastest mile in harness racing history.
O’Donnell drove Cambest nearly 18 years ago, on August 16, 1993, to a time trial of 1:46.1, still the all-age world record. O’Donnell isn’t surprised the record has stood for well into two decades. Even though many horses have come close to the record, O’Donnell dismisses those attempts.
“It’s a lot easier said than done, eh? Time trialing, you don’t have to worry about getting beat and can take a few more chances than you would in a race. I’ve tried to set world records in a race and all I did was cut the mile for a guy that’s going to go by me and set the records,” O’Donnell told Harness Racing Communications. “I’ve done that a few times. After a while, I probably took some (heat) for it, but I did what was best, trying to get purse money instead of getting a pat on the back or a kick in the (rear), whatever it turns out to be. I think time matters a lot less now. In the Thoroughbred business, time doesn’t mean a whole lot, in the Quarter horses we have up here, they don’t seem to be fixated on time like we still are.”
O’Donnell, who routinely drove in 2,000 races or more a year in the 1980s, now drives between 100 and 200 times a year, this year only six times thus far. He largely trains and drives for his own two-horse stable of one three-year-old and one six-year-old.
“I just have two horses, something to keep me busy. I have a guy that helps me, so we have one apiece,” he laughs.
He also has become a leader among his fellow horsemen and serves as president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, which represents the horsemen at Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks, since 2009.
“You use your brain and not just your physical being,” he said. “It’s good. We’re in contract for three more years, until 2014.”
He is also on the boards of Standardbred Canada and the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society, which currently has 65 horses awaiting adoption.
On July 3, O'Donnell, 63, will take part in 13th annual $10,000 Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry Memorial Trot at Goshen Historic Track with a full field of drivers, all members of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. The driving colony for that race brings O'Donnell as well as Jim Doherty, Herve Filion, Wally Hennessey, Mike Lachance, Cat Manzi, Dave Palone and Ray Remmen together in a “Who's Who” of harness racing competition. The race honors the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Gerry; their sons Elbridge and Peter will be on hand to present the trophy.
Known as the "Magic Man", O'Donnell brings his 5,741 wins and $98.5 million in purses to the race. O’Donnell has competed in the Hall of Fame drivers race in the past. The last time he did so, however, he might have been confused with amateur driver Alan Schwartz. O’Donnell forgot his white, blue and orange colors and wore Schwartz’s instead.
“This time I’ll bring my own colours,” he says.
(with files from HRC)
Billy Direct beat Dan
Billy Direct beat Dan Patch's 1:55 1/4 world pacing record by a quarter of a second in 1938 and held it on his own for 17 years until Adios Harry tied it in 1955. Five years later, in 1960, Adios Butler shaved off 2/5ths. This summer will mark 18 years that Cambest has held the undisputed title of "World's Fastest Horse" (Dan Patch's reign of 35 years will probably turn out to be safe).
Bill I look back at my time
Bill I look back at my time I spent with yourself, Sandy and Carl as the best time of my life. I'm 73 years young now but having you as a friend along the way has helped me understand what it means to be a driver and trainer of Standardbreds. I believe you do have a lot of MAGIC! Especially WITH the help and commitment you display working with the horse persons that know you! All The Best Billy O.
So Bill, How come I could
So Bill, How come I could never cash a ticket on you at Rockingham in the 60's & 70's??
You were my jinx driver and then you become "The Magic Man". Go figure....
Dave Rippon
You are the "Magic Man"
You are the "Magic Man" indeed. I know you raced for the purses because I was your accountant at "The Jug" for a few years. All The Best Always "Magic".
Way to go, Bill. Good luck
Way to go, Bill. Good luck in the race. We'll definitely be looking and cheering for YOUR colours!
Bill is an asset to our
Bill is an asset to our industry. Always thought Cambest's maternal breeding was superb. I have never watched Cambest's time trial, very exciting indeed! A great story.