Garth Hoy a true harness racing stalwart

The name Garth Hoy has been synonymous with harness racing over the last 50 years and the veteran trainer driver is still there making his presence in the Central West and Riverina regions of New South Wales.

From his humble beginnings at Dubbo, Garth has continued to support harness racing through his team of pacers that have graced the tracks.

Garth was born in Dubbo and learned the trade from his father the late Ron Hoy.

“Actually I had just left school and my brother Lester had horses in Dubbo so I decided to give it a try.”

He showed enough promise that as a junior driver Garth represented New South Wales in the National Juniors Championships in Hobart and Sydney.

And it wasn’t long after that Garth’s most famous pacer Lone Boy (Joys Boy) came on the scene. Foaled in 1972, Lone Boy quickly showed potential and the young Garth was up to the task of guiding the pacer to some notable wins.

Lone Boy won the New South Wales Grand Prix and the New South Wales Superstars events. He took out the Hawkesbury Cup and all in all won 15 races around Harold Park. He also qualified for the 1980 Inter Dominion Grand Final at Harold Park.

“It was my most satisfying achievement to make that Final as he finished a second and two thirds to get there” commented Garth.

“We also raced against Paleface Adios on many occasions with Lone Boy but we could never beat him.”

His idol as a young man was Brian Gath who at that stage was at the peak of his career winning numerous classics.

Without hesitation Garth named the late Tony Turnbull as the most hardest driver to compete against and he means that as a complement.

“Tony was so competitive and made it difficult to drive against with his determination but he also would give due credit to his fellow drivers.”

Along the way Garth had some useful pacers including King Toliver (Toliver Hanover) whom he drove at various stages of his career including at Harold Park.

“Another good horse I had was Rebelle (Stature). We won the Canberra Derby, the Hondo Grattan sprint at Harold Park and he also was successful in a Temora Cup” added Garth.

Garth has also had a long association with John and Leah McMullen in Queensland sending up a number of pacers who went on to win races including Gosling in Flight (Laag) and Barkway Arnold (Kadoopy).

Yet another good performer for Garth was Exploraround (Explorador) who won 13 races including rating 2.1.2 at Menangle Park in 2008. “She was an exceptionally fast mare who would have been suited at the quick Menangle circuit.”

“The best thing that has occurred for harness racing was to get rid of the inside rail and have the pegs. However the handicapping system is inconsistent different to the days when you would start from a CO and then work up from there.”

In 2012 Garth and his wife Robyn made the decision to leave Dubbo and moved to a property at Murringo not far from Young where in addition to the stables and training facilities they have 80 acres to grow their own hay and lucerne.

“It’s a better place here for the horses climate wise and the soil is good and being in the Young district we are far closer to more tracks that make it accessible compared to Dubbo.

Garth worked by himself until son Nathan decided to enter harness racing full time and he now works with his father. Nathan has already trained 98 winners.

Garth’s daughter April is a successful specialist horse gear maker involved in the Riverina mini trotting club.

The other woman in Garth’s life has been his wife of 45 years Robyn and she has shared all their experiences in the past.

Like all trainers Garth’s remaining ambition is to have another good horse in the stable.

In reflecting on his life in harness racing Garth Hoy has experienced the highs and lows of being a trainer driver. But he would not have changed his career in light of what harness racing has given him including the numerous friends and acquaintances that he has picked over his lifetime.

And that surely is what harness racing is about. No matter what levels you achieve  participants like Garth and his family are an integral part of the sport which we so much love.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink