Madison, WI — The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association is proud to announce its first Hall of Fame inductee for the Class of 2021. Gary Rath of Harvard, Ill., will be one of two inductees at the Jan. 22 event in Madison, Wis. Rath has been a well-respected trainer/driver/owner, racing at the county fairs in Wisconsin and Illinois, and at the pari-mutuel tracks in Chicago for more than 40 years.

Gary Rath will be inducted into the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame. WHHA photo.

In the ‘70s, Rath began his career in harness racing, working for the Leonard Stables of Harvard, Ill. A few short years later, he started his own stable at the fairgrounds in Harvard. Since beginning his stable, he has been a constant figure at the Wisconsin and Illinois fairs and in Chicago.

When not driving his own horses, he could often times be seen driving horses for other stables as a prominent catch driver. Over the years he has achieved many accomplishments as both a trainer and driver. He is also known for being highly respected for his ability in breaking yearlings for many stables.

In 1993, he trained Arrogant Rich (Flying Rich-Ocean City Whinney-Flight Director) who went on to win the Orange and Blue Stake for 2-year-old colt pacers and has career earnings of $222,366.

Rath is no stranger to setting track records. In 1989, he drove Sycamores Kash to a track record at the Waupaca County Fair in Weyauwega (2:06) for the Lemke Stable. In 2002, he drove Dapper Dan Mindale to tie Bestdealintown’s record of 2:00.4 at Viroqua. In 1996, he drove Wheres The Doc at the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, establishing a new track record (1:59), making that horse the fastest ever to race in Wisconsin.

Rath has garnered numerous WHHA awards, with his most prestigious coming in 2008 for being named WHHA Driver of the Year after piloting Pacer of the Year (Fox Valley Windy) and Runner-Up Pacer of the Year (Audreys Queen) for longtime owner and friend Brian McMahon.

He has also been in the Top 10 Drivers 16 times (tied for fourth), as well as being tied for having the most wins in a single day (six at Elkhorn, July 28, 2001).

In 2006, Rath was appointed to the WHHA Board of Directors. He was elected to the board in 2007, bringing fresh ideas to the Board.

In 2021, Rath achieved win number 700 while racing at Hawthorne Race Course. He has bankrolled more than $2.6 million as a driver and $2.7 million as a trainer. Not a small feat by any means.

For those wishing to attend the banquet and congratulate Gary, contact Gabe Wand at gabewand@yahoo.com or 608.574.5468 for more information.