Columbus, OH – Warren Harp, 83, died March 28, 2020.

Longtime horseman Warren Harp died at age 83 on March 28, 2020. Photo courtesy of Joan Harp.

He was born in Norwich, N.Y., on Jan. 6, 1937, the son of George I. Harp and Jennie (Cole) Harp.

He grew up and remained in the harness racing industry his whole life. At 16 he drove his first pari-mutuel race for his father, George Harp Sr. At 19 he went on the Grand Circuit with noted trainer Harry Fitzpatrick to learn the ways of training Grand Circuit colts. At 24 he went to work for Delvin Miller and drove some of his best horses at that time.

In 1968 he opened a public stable in New England after marrying Joan Hussey. He drove for Billy Haughton, John Simpson, Stanley Dancer and Eldon Harner when they sent horses to be raced on the Atlantic seaboard circuit.

He broke, trained and raced many New England and Florida sired stakes winners, raised and conditioned Bandolito p,4,1:48f ($466,095) and conditioned Rockincam p,1:48.1 ($795,237).

In 2005 he received the Stanley Dancer Award from the Florida USHWA chapter. In 2017 was inducted into the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame by USHWA.

With great love and respect he is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan; daughter, Susie Salles; son, Jimmy (Sharon); three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma Mattucci; and nieces and nephews.

At his request there will be no service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association, 157 North Main St., Salem, NH 03079.