by Kenneth W. Terpenning, USTA Internet Correspondent

Kettering, OH — As the 2015 early Red Mile meet drew to a close on Sept. 19, Tyler Shehan, the 32-year-old Hopkinsville, Ky., native could feel the excitement building in his bones. He went into the night with a four win lead over his nearest competitor in the driving standings and added a win with Ronald Best’s trainee Become Legendary, extending his lead in the driver standings to five while sewing up his first Red Mile driving title.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Shehan

Tyler Shehan was the leading driver during the recently concluded meet at The Red Mile.

Shehan began driving in 2000, with his first drive coming behind his father’s (Tom Shehan) trotting colt Semper in a Kentucky Fair Stakes at the Lebanon fair on July 21, 2000. Semper got away in the pocket and took a run at the leader in the lane, but came up just a neck short.

To date, Shehan has passed the $1 million mark in purse earnings as a driver with 2015 being his best year yet in his fairly young career. With 3,108 trips in the sulky in his career, he has 406 wins, 416 seconds, and 439 thirds and purse earnings of $1,104,765. In addition to being a driver, he has 1,105 starts as a trainer, with 176 wins, 183 seconds, 172 thirds and $578,961 in training purse earnings.

Aided by his wife, Marna Van Zyl Shehan, who also drives and trains, and his sulky riding German Shepherd Zoey, Tyler is riding high on life.

To top off his success on-track, Shehan was recently appointed to the Kentucky Harness Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors the same week he earned top honors in Lexington.

When asked what he would like to achieve while serving his first term on the Board, he replied, “I want to protect the Kentucky horsemen and women and rejuvenate Kentucky harness racing. The crowd at The Red Mile cheered after I left the winner’s circle each and every time. It’s time for the sport’s trainers and drivers to become one with the fans. We need a smile or wave to the stands and acknowledge our fans and supporters and make it more personal for them.”

When asked his thoughts on how 2015 has treated him, he replied, “It has been a great year! I want to thank my parents Tom and Karen Shehan and my wife Marna for all of their help and support.”

The Red Mile’s Grand Circuit meet begins Wednesday (Sept. 30) with post time at 7 p.m.