Mike Taylor, a native of Harrington, Del., has been named the recipient of the 2015 Caretaker of the Year Award sponsored by Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park (HRRNP) in conjunction with the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA).

Taylor, 32, works in the George Teague Jr. Stable and became a well-known person in the sport in 2015 as the caretaker of the Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit. Taylor, who is known in the stable and throughout the harness industry as ‘Big Mike,’ has worked for Teague for more than 10 years.

“I’m at a loss for words. This is a great honour and I am most appreciative,” said Taylor. “I knew about this award, but I really didn’t think I was going to win it. I thank everyone who supported me.”

All caretakers in North America are eligible for the award, with nomination letters submitted detailing the skills and special qualities of the caretaker. A seven-member panel — all of whom were former caretakers themselves — chose Taylor as the winner. As winner of the HRRNP Caretaker of the Year Award, Taylor will receive a cash prize of $500, transportation, hotel accommodations and two tickets to the USHWA annual Dan Patch Awards banquet on March 6 at the Hyatt Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he will be presented a trophy.

Taylor learned the business from his father, the late Ricky Jones, is a former football player at Delaware State University. He is physically and figuratively a large presence in the winner’s circle, in which he stood 22 times with Wiggle It Jiggleit during his U.S. Horse of the Year campaign.

“Taylor is the quintessential ‘Gentle Giant,’ one person wrote in a nomination letter. “While he looks like a lineman for the Chicago Bears, he is actually soft-spoken, considerate and generous. His humour and playful disposition make him a favourite in paddocks across the country.”

Several nominators noted the contrast between Taylor’s calm demeanor to that of the rambunctious gelding when standing in the winner’s circle.

“He prevented little children from being maimed and kept overzealous fans from being trampled when WIJI got too exuberant following his many victories,” one nominator wrote.

“Wiggle It Jiggleit didn’t like getting his picture taken in the winner’s circle,” Taylor said with a laugh. “I think a lot of people knew him from that.”

Teague was among those who nominated Taylor for the HRRNP Caretaker of the Year Award.

“Mike is a vital part of ‘Team Teague,’ and this year has been a true testament to that,” wrote Teague. “It was obvious from Day 1 that Big Mike and Wiggle It Jiggleit had a special relationship. Harness racing fans all over the world witnessed greatness from Wiggle It Jiggleit this year, but may not have known that behind the scenes there was something equally amazing happening.”

Taylor, along with all the USHWA 2015 award winners, including Wiggle It Jiggleit as Horse of the Year, will be recognized during the Dan Patch Awards banquet on March 6. Information on tickets and accommodations for the event can be found at ushwa.org.

(Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park / U.S. Harness Writers Association)