Gene Wiley retires as Presiding Judge after 48 years

COLUMBUS, OH – Gene Wiley has made one final call in his lifelong career of decision making.  He announced his retirement on social media June 9, 2023, stating, “I made a monumental decision today.  I am now retired from Presiding Judge of Harness Racing.  After 48 years, I have some medical issues that may keep me from getting out and about.  I wish all the fellow officials & Horsemen & Ladies the best of luck.”

The Ohio State Racing Commission extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to Gene Wiley for his decades of service to harness racing.  Wiley of Richwood, Ohio has been a harness racing official since the early 1970’s.  His very first job in the industry was a starter at fairs in Indiana and in 1975 he earned his license to judge the races he had been starting.  Wiley’s first assignment as a presiding judge came later that same year at the Huron County Fair in Norwalk, Ohio.

The affable Wiley soon received other positions as a presiding judge throughout the state.  He is a well-travelled official that has worked at least one fair in every colt circuit that has ever been in existence in the Buckeye State.

While pursuing his passion of harness racing officiating, Wiley worked at a factory that manufactured hydraulic equipment for farm machinery.  Although working full-time, the laborious Wiley did not stop at judging the races at the county fairs.  He also found time to serve as an associate judge at Raceway Park in Toledo.

After “retiring” Wiley continued to add to his judging resume with the addition of substituting as the presiding judge at Northfield Park, Scioto Downs and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Ohio’s harness racing has been lucky to have been served by someone with Wiley’s dedication, professionalism and temperament.  His qualities have not gone unnoticed throughout the industry:

“Gene has been a fixture in county fair judging stands for near a half-century.  In that time, he has come to be known for setting the standard of how to be a judge with knowledge of the rules, judgement, fairness, and even temperament.  The success and growth of Ohio County Fair racing is owed to people like Gene.  Like so many others who have worked with him, it has been a privilege.”

-Chris Dragone, Executive Director of the Ohio State Racing Commission 

“On behalf of The Ohio Harness Horsemen Association I would like to thank Gene Wiley for his many years of service to our industry.  His dedication and commitment to fairness and safety was well noted and appreciated by all horsemen.   We hope to continue to see him at some of the fairs this season.  ‘Gene, you’ve made a difference!  Enjoy your retirement.’”

-Steve Bateson, President of the Ohio Harness Horsemen Association 

“My experience with Gene Wiley goes back to when the OHHA office was located in Richwood.  I have had the opportunity to work with Gene as a fair board member and as a trainer/driver, two very different relationships, but ones he has earned respect for in each role.  For many years judges would have to go into the fairground’s speed office when entries were called in for races and oversee the draw.  I have spent years serving in some capacity on the Union County fair board or speed committee and have come to know Gene as both a friend and colleague.  When times began to change and cell phones became the rage, Gene and I shared numbers so we could contact one another.  He was always willing to make himself accessible for any questions.  As a trainer and driver, having Gene as a judge, I knew that he would be fair and it never mattered what personal relationship you shared. As all of us know, interference happens sometimes, and judges need to make decisions and placings.  Gene was one that could make those calls.  Gene earned the respect of both fair board and speed committee members, as well as trainer and drivers alike. He is a man of integrity and will be missed in the role he has served for so long.”

-Roy Burns, Ohio Trainer and Driver

“Gene was the Presiding Judge of the very first race I ever announced.  I have learned a great deal from him and have thoroughly enjoyed working with him for the past twenty-five years.  I typically work with multiple people throughout the year but working with Gene was always a bright spot.”

-Ayers Ratliff, Investigator for OSRC and longtime harness announcer  

“Working many fairs with Gene over the last twenty years, he has been a teacher of the sport.  Many times I have seen him quote the rules and what he needed to do to be fair with the horses, trainers and drivers.  He has the ability to keep everyone happy. but when they are not happy with something, by the next fair they would sit and talk Gene him as if nothing ever happened.  Gene has the ability to make the races a fun and exciting place and he is a person that cares about our sport.”

-Larry Nibert, Associate Judge 

Although Gene Wiley has no intention of being the Presiding Judge at your local harness racing fair, you may still find him in the grandstand enjoying the Buckeye-bred youngsters competing in action.  In Gene’s own words, “Racing is in my blood, so I will sign off as usual, ‘See you at the races.’”

From the Ohio State Racing Commission