The man most associated with fabled pacer Rambling Willie, horseman Bob Farrington passed away Monday afternoon from an apparent heart attack at the age of 85.
One of harness racing's first superstar trainer-drivers, especially in the Chicago circuit, Farrington was a six-time national driving champion, taking the title in 1961 and 1962 and again from 1964 through 1967.
Born in Richwood, Ohio on July 15, 1929, Farrington won 36 driving titles with 30 of them coming on Chicago-area tracks, including six at both Sportsman's Park and Washington Park.
Elected to the Harness Racing Museum Hall of Fame in 1979, Farrington was the first driver ever to win 200 races in a season (1961), first to win 300 races in a season (1964), first to win 300 races twice, and first to win 300 races three times.
During a 1963 program at Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, Farrington drove six times and won all six races. Farrington retired from driving with 3,163 victories in 1992 and went on to be a high profile trainer.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Bob campaigned Rambling Willie, written about as "The Horse That God Loved" in a novel by Philip S. Pikelny and Donald P. Evans. The pacer later toured North America, racing and signing his book with his unique hoof mark.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in Richwood, Ohio, on Sunday (Oct. 19). Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday (Oct. 20), with interment at York Cemetary.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, 240 Main St. Goshen, NY 10924; or Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, 157 N. Main St., Salem, NH 03079 for the Rambling Willie Scholarship.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bob Farrington.
(with files from Harnesslink)
So sad. I love the book
So sad. I love the book Rambling Willie, the Horse God Loved and really admired Mr. Farrington after reading it.
RIP Mr Farrington. Now you and Willie are reunited once again.
Bob Farrington was way ahead
Bob Farrington was way ahead of his time.
I had the pleasure to train Rambling Willie here at my farm in Wheatley, ON. Dr McKibbin was working on Willie and Bob asked if I would keep him in shape. Later Bob was instrumental in me getting stalls to stable and race in Chicago. A true gentleman.
I will never forget his answer when a young man asked him what he pre-raced horses with. Without changing expression Bob said "classification".
R.I.P. Willie is waiting for you.
I am old enough to say that I
I am old enough to say that I was at Greenwood for all three of Willies races in the CPD. I also have a copy of the referred-to book. I remember Mr. Farrington being interviewed following one of Willies wins, stating that the horse actually would drive himself; that is to say that if Bob pulled on the right line to begin a move and Willie did not think it was the right time to get going he would strongly resist and stay on the rail a while longer.
David, Scarborough.
My condolences go out to the
My condolences go out to the Farrington Family. A true horseman and student of the game. RIP Bob.