by Jay Wolf, publicity director, the Little Brown Jug

Delaware, OH — The late Sam “Chip” Noble III, one of the top driver/trainers in the sport and a member of the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame, will be honored as the Joseph Neville Award winner by the Delaware County Fair.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Sam “Chip” Noble III will be honored as the Joseph Neville Award winner by the Delaware County Fair.

Noble was the third leading driver in the history of the Delaware County Fair with 106 victories (behind David Miller and John Campbell). Noble was credited with 5,105 driving victories and 1,002 career training wins. His final career win came behind Contessa Leigh in the 2013 Ohio Breeders Championship 3-year-old filly trot.

He was one of the top percentage drivers in the sport. He won North American UDR crowns in 1978, 1981 and 1983, and he was chosen to represent the United States in the World Driving Championship in both 2001 and 2003.

In 2003 he received the Buckeye State’s highest honor when he became the 30th inductee into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

He was a director of the United States Trotting Association and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and a member of the Little Brown Jug Society.

Noble, who died earlier this year, was survived by his wife, Debbie; and children, Sam, Dan and Meredith.