Gord Brown, one of the most successful and consistent harness horse drivers in Ontario for several decades, announced today (Nov. 14) that he will be retiring from driving horses following this coming Sunday's card of racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
“I’ve decided it’s time. I’m 55 and it’s a young man’s game,” noted the Cobourg resident. “I wanted to retire while I’m healthy and able to enjoy other things in life. My wife, Joy, and I have done a lot of travelling and I’d like to do more. If possible, I’d like to remain in the industry on some level, it’s been good to me.”
Gord Brown drives Markathy to victory at Kawartha Downs (racehorsephoto.com)
Brown has more than 25 driving titles at three different racetracks -- Kawartha Downs, Rideau Carleton and Quinte Raceway -- over the years. “I have to thank everyone who contributed in any way to my career, the trainers, owners and caretakers. I’d especially like to thank Mark Winacott, Blake Curran and John MacMillan for their support.
“The only thing that bothers me now is that I was not able to have a synthetic whip introduced. I presented the idea and many drivers agreed, but we couldn’t get it done. It’s far more humane than what we currently use,” noted Gord, who is the inventor of the Clear Vision Mud Sheet used by several of the top drivers in the sport to improve vision in rainy and muddy racing conditions.
On November 27 Gord will be the special guest on the Rideau Carleton pre-race show, In The Sulky, and will be picking winners from the paddock throughout the course of the evening. Kawartha Downs will also honour Gord when the track resumes racing next year.
Gord Brown (Claus Andersen)
“It’s bittersweet to retire, but there’s more to life than racing. I’ve been very fortunate to say that at the end of the day I worked at a job I loved.”
Gord’s record to date shows 4,232 trips to the winner’s circle with more than $20 million in purses won. For 16 years he notched 100 or more driving victories with his most prolific year being 2006 with 420 wins. In terms of earnings the 2007 was the best for Gord as he recorded more than $2.1 million in purses.
(with files from Kawartha)
Thanks for all the A track
Thanks for all the A track drives. Take care and enjoy.
Retire??? Gordie I'd have
Retire??? Gordie I'd have thought you'd have a few more good years left in you lol to some of us your still a young guy. I understand your reasoning perfectly and wish you all the best in any future endeavors and with any luck you will continue to add something to the sport. Good luck and thanks for the many memories.
Just remember what the great QB Terry Bradshaw said about retirement;
"I just see too many people retire and say, 'I'm going to take off, travel, spend time with my family' and they are just miserable. They end up dying. People who work and stay active, and like what they are doing, live longer. "
After fifty years of watching
After fifty years of watching harness drivers, I always measure, but asking, "could he/she drive my horse(s)". Gord, you could drive my horse(s). Good luck, bonne chance, with retirement and next challenges.
Linda and I wish you all the
Linda and I wish you all the best in any new endeavor. We go back several years and your advice, thoughts, and efforts as a trainer and driver have always been greatly appreciated.
Our 3 boys still wonder why you always insisted on having the lines straight and flat when they were leading the horses from the paddock to the track. Thanks for teaching them many things along the way.
Many thanks for your friendship and excellent work as a driver over the years.
Linda and Larry Todd
I know how much you love
I know how much you love driving Gordie, we had a lot of fun in Belleville and the horsemen and fans muchly appreciate a top driver like you in Belleville on Friday night! :) Not much pay but you improved Belleville racing with your regular drives. Thanks Gordie
Congratulations my Friend.
Congratulations my Friend. This is a little bit shocking. You have done more for B tracks in Ontario the past 25 yrs than any other driver that I can think of. Whether there was a severe snow storm or pouring rain you showed up at Rideau Carleton or Kawartha Downs if you had one qualifier or two drives. Harness racing will miss you behind the gate. I know you have a 27 handicap with your golf game and I know you want to get it down so that must be the only reason you want to retire. Keep your head down and it will come around.
Glad to have been along for
Glad to have been along for the ride for many of those wins. Always respected your input and respect for my horses. Enjoy your retirement. Maybe invent a helmet with speakers so the sport could use spotters like Nascar.
Yes Gord, enjoy. I have
Yes Gord, enjoy. I have watched you over the years and for myself, you always gave a horse and the bettor a chance. There was not to many times that you sat in with a favorite, you were always out and trying, if you got beat it was not because you were sleeping, or waiting for the stretch to open. Enjoy your retirement.
Congrats
Congrats
Congrats !!!!! ENJOY your
Congrats !!!!! ENJOY your retirement, travel, travel, travel....