Northfield, OH — Longtime Ohio horseman Calvin “Buck” Hollar reached a career milestone on Saturday (Nov. 23), harnessing his 1,000th training victory. The achievement was realized when Ronnie Wrenn Jr. drove Pinkpolosocks to a 1:54 victory to win the evening’s fifth race.

Calvin Hollar collects his 1,000th training victory on Saturday evening at Northfield Park. JJ Zamaiko Photography.

Hollar’s father, Billy, sold cars for a living and happen to sell a truck to Michigan horseman Ron Bateson. That transaction sparked an interest in the Hollar family attending the races at the former Raceway Park in Toledo, Ohio. While in the grandstand the younger Hollar formed a friendship with Bateson’s sons Greg and Scott.

Hollar’s interest in horses grew and eventually he found himself working for Ronald Bateson, then Terry Buter, Bob Coberly, Dan Venier, Leonard Milburn and Brian Brown. He worked as a second trainer, while conditioning a budding stable of his own.

In 2001, Hollar stepped fully out on his own and moved his stable to Northfield Park. Embryo, a female Open pacer, sparked Hollar’s solo training career.

Hollar’s 1,000th training win was the result of 8,718 starts that also saw him finish second 1,044 times and third another 1,064. All told his earnings have amounted to just under $4.2 million.

“It’s feels good to reach this milestone,” he said. “But a trainer cannot win races without great owners supplying them fast horses that receive good drives on the racetrack. Also, I have had some of the best employees in the business and have received more family support than anyone could imagine, especially from my mother, who always rooted for Hollar Racing.”