Hinsdale, IL – The IHHA’s Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce that the following were recently chosen for induction into the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame: This group in particular has shown an exemplary commitment to Illinois.
Mike Brink – Mike has been an Illinois mainstay for over 50 years. He has 830 victories and over $7.6M in earnings as a trainer. His many accomplishments include training two Illinois Horses of the year.
Dr. Richard Flacco – Patriarch of Flacco Family Farms. Doc brought Lou’s Legacy to Illinois and turned him into one of the most dominant trotting sires in Illinois.
Casey Leonard – Casey has been the leading driver at Hawthorne for many years. He has earned over $25M in purses in the past 15 years. He is currently the IHHA Vice-President as well as a USTA director.
Steve Searle – Steve is a fourth-generation harness horsemen who has committed his craft to Illinois. He has over 1,000 training wins and $8.6M in earnings.
Ed Teefey – Ed has been active in almost every aspect of the sport. His love for harness racing is obvious when you review his longevity, investment and perseverance.
Robert Phillips (immortal) – Bob was a well-regarded trainer who could always be found near the top of the Balmoral trainer standings. Before Bob passed away in 2022, he had accumulated 1,123 training victories with earnings of $7.6M.
Also being inducted for their exemplary racing or breeding careers will be:
Fox Valley Gemini – 2017 and 2018 Illinois Horse of the Year. Lifetime earnings of $788,636. Winner on Night of Champions an amazing six times in a row, from 2017 – 2022.
Fox Valley Topaz – 2008 Illinois Horse of the Year, 2008 Dan Patch award winner for best two-year-old filly in the country. Lifetime earnings of $823,581, including the Breeders Crown as a two-year-old.
Lou’s Legacy – He’s been a dominant Illinois trotting sire for many years. His progeny has earnings of over $11m including 35 with over $100,000 each.
Being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their dedication to Illinois Harness Racing will be Peter Galassi and Mike Titus.
Peter began calling races in 1980 and his voice has been the soundtrack for some of Illinois greatest moments, including Super Nights at Balmoral, Night of Champions at Hawthorne and the Illinois State Fair races in Springfield.
Mike has been part of Illinois harness racing since he was a child. Mike has a reputation as one of the finest starters in the Midwest. He has assisted horsemen throughout his career in any way possible.
We look forward to honoring and celebrating them all on February 28, in Springfield, IL at the annual Horsemen’s Banquet.