‘Pacing Priest’ Fr Brian Glasheen celebrated in new biography

The wonderful life of prominent harness racing identity Fr Brian Glasheen, aka The Pacing Priest, is now in print.

Written by international award winning journalist John Dunne, the book depicts Fr Glasheen’s involvement in his beloved sport of harness racing along with his vocation as a priest who has spanned more than 52 years.

His DNA was inextricably linked to trotting from a young age through both his father Jack and his grandfather Paddy, who trained and drove Hall Of Fame trotter Grand Voyage.

This was explained in an excerpt from the book:

Modern day trainers would shake their heads at Major Miracle’s race day ritual.

“On race morning I would walk him for half an hour to Gower Park, then jog him for a lap, then put the hopples on him and sprint him flat out for half a mile before walking him back home.

“Then at 4.25pm I would leave Preston and drive the horse to the Melbourne Showgrounds and meet Dad at the Langs Rd gate at 6 o’clock.”

Major Miracle would duly fulfil his racing engagement before making the 30km round trip back to his stable at Tyler Street.

“We used to put an old kerosene lamp under the seat at the back of the sulky for the trip home.”

Fr Glasheen has returned to the family home in Preston where his father’s stables were located and, although retired, he is still in high demand to officiate at weddings and funerals.

Dunne said he was delighted to write My Story – Fr Brian Glasheen.

“I write people’s life stories and it was indeed a privilege to put in writing the life and times of Fr Brian Glasheen,” Dunne said.

The book can be purchased from Brian at brian.glasheen@cam.org.au

From Harness Racing Victoria