Hall-of-fame horseman Jacques Hebert, a pillar of the Quebec racing industry for 50 years, recorded his 6,000th career victory on Thursday evening
.
He had to go to Ontario to do it, though, because of the ongoing paralysis of the racing industry in his home province.
Win number 6,000 came in the eighth race at Rideau Carleton Raceway - a $6,700 trot -with four-year-old gelding Boys O Boys.
Hebert, 66, a native of Drummondville, won his first race at Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres when he was 15.
He moved to Blue Bonnets in 1962 and remained at the Montreal track until he and other horsemen were forced to vacate late last year. It's where he won the bulk of his races, and accomplished the remarkable feat of winning at least 100 races for 32 consecutive years.
Hebert was voted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2006.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
For Thursday’s results, click here.
Congratulations Jacques! It
Congratulations Jacques! It is because of his talented driving that I became interested in harness racing. Like other great ones like Wally Hennessey,Paul Macdonnell,and John Campbell just to name a few, Jacques always has had respect for the horse, the horse owner, and the horse racing fan to go along with his great and caring handling of horses. They all are great ambassadors for the sport of harness racing.
Any young aspiring drivers who want to learn from the best can start by viewing clips of any one of these great drivers.
Larry Resnitzky