Gabe Wand to Wisconsin Hall of Fame

Madison, WI — The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association is proud to announce its second Hall of Fame harness racing inductee for the Class of 2021. Gabe Wand, of Dodgeville, Wis., will be inducted at the Jan. 22 event in Madison, Wis.

In the early 1990s, Wand embarked on a fast-tracked harness racing career with his father at the family training track in Shullsburg, Wis. He drove in his first matinee race at age 13, won an amateur driving race at Maywood Park at 17, and went on to capture his first WHHA driving title at age 29.

He has gone on to garner a total of 12 consecutive driving titles, one runner-up honor and an additional three top 10 finishes, making him Wisconsin’s all-time award-winning driver. Throughout his career, he has driven in seven different states, including pari-mutuel racetracks in Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Wand has owned or trained five Wisconsin Pacers of the Year (Wands Banjo ’07, Mel’s Z Tam ’09, Mr Shankopotamus ’10, Yankee Time ’16, Jagged Little Pill ‘21) and one Wisconsin Trotter of the Year (Good Ride Cowboy ’09). He has also sent postward an additional nine top 10 pacers and 11 top 10 trotters.

Wand has also piloted horses to seven track records throughout the state, including the fastest mile ever, 1:55, set by Millennial at Mineral Point this past racing season.

The WHHA has benefitted greatly from Wand’s leadership and dedication. He was the youngest person ever elected to the Board of Directors (age 20) and continues to serve, currently in his 21st year. Fourteen of those years he served as President, taking on every role imaginable. From planning annual meetings to publishing the newsletter and from negotiating fair board contracts to serving in every racing official position possible, he has done it all. Dean Hoffman, former editor of Hoof Beats, described him as “a sparkplug who makes things happen in many ways.”

In 2010, Wand ventured onto the national scene by being elected to the United States Trotting Association Board of Directors. During his tenure, he has been elected District Chairman and was given the President’s Award by former USTA President Phil Langley. Recognizing the need to promote youth in harness racing, he helped jump-start the USTA Youth Delegate Program while doubling as a Trustee to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.

As you can see, Wand doesn’t wait for things to happen; he defies every age barrier and makes those dreams a reality. It’s his genuine passion for county fair racing that has earned him the honor of being the youngest individual inductee into the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

For those wishing to attend the banquet and congratulate Wand, contact WHHA President Danny Carey at 608.341.9913 or dacarey10@gmail.com for more information.

From the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association