by Ayers Ratliff, for Northfield Park

Northfield Park, OH — Ryan Stahl scored the 4,000th win of his career aboard This Baby Rocks in Northfield Park’s sixth race on Monday (March 20) by firing off the gate and fending off all challengers.

This Baby Rocks maintained a nose advantage over his closest rival at the wire, successfully pacing his mile in 1:54.2.

JJ Zamaiko Photography

Ryan Stahl celebrates his 4,000th career driving victory on Monday evening at Northfield Park with his wife Nichole.

Stahl’s richest win came in a $100,000 Ohio Sire Stakes final and he has won six Sire Stakes finals. The native of Republic, Ohio. rates the most exciting horse he has ever driven as being Hypnotic Blue Chip, in the 2011 Battle of Lake Erie.

“It was an honor to drive a world-class horse like him,” said Stahl.

The 39-year-old Stahl remembers his first win as being aboard a trotting filly named Lojos Sharp Baby, at the Oak Harbor (Ohio) Fairgrounds.

“That win came about a week after I got my license,” Stahl recalled.

With 4,000 to choose from, Stahl says that his most memorable win came aboard Podges Lady, in the 2012 edition of the Courageous Lady.

“It is a signature race here at Northfield and it really meant a lot,” offered Stahl.

Stahl started driving at the age of 14 and appreciates his success so far; accomplishing the 4,000-win milestone and having driven the winners of nearly $15.5 million.

Stahl has been married for almost two years to Nichole. The couple has two children, a son Owen, and daughter Sonny. The family resides on an 80-acre farm in Republic, Ohio, and trains a stable of 12 horses.

“Nichole is simply the best and does so much to keep our family, horses and farm going,” explained Stahl. “I am only able to come to the track and drive on a nightly basis because of what she does to manage everything with our stable and family.”