Ralph Andersen, who drove his first horse when he was 16 years old and is now 61, achieved the career milestone of 2,000 victories on Wednesday at Rockingham Park
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Andersen had been perched at the precipice of 1,999 wins for about a week but on Wednesday he had his entire family on track for the occasion. While accepting hearty congratulations from fellow horsemen in the paddock following the winner’s circle celebration, he was overcome with sweet emotion.
“It feels wonderful,” he said. “It also feels different than any of the other wins, that’s for sure.”
Andersen had five drives on the 11-race card, but he saved his best for last. Fox Valley Sage, a five-year-old mare whom he owns and trains as well as drives, easily won the featured $9,000 pace in the 10th race in 1:52.3 as the even-money favourite in the field of five to put him over the top.
“It feels extra special to get the 2,000th driving win with her because she’s my best horse,” he explained.
Andersen hasn’t driven as many horses as he might have liked over the past two seasons because he was sidelined with a nagging ankle injury. He was on such a natural high after setting the major career mark that he was feeling no pain whatsoever.
“I’m sorry to be so emotional,” he said. “I started driving at the fairs when I was 16 and then when I got my license at 18, I raced at Hinsdale and right here at The Rock that year. That was 1966. So to win my 2,000th race here feels very good.”
(Rockingham Park)