Tasmania’s winningest driver chalks up 1800 wins

No Tasmanian harness racing driver has won more races than ace reinsman Ricky Duggan, who recorded his 1,800th career win on Friday (Dec. 23).

Duggan was at his brilliant best for the milestone victory aboard $41 chance Hot Embers (Courage Under Fire), for leading trainer Ben Yole, in the Godfrey Joinery Pace at the Tasmanian Trotting Club meeting in Hobart.

The gelding was positioned one out and three back from barrier four on the second row before Duggan moved out three and four wide from the 400m to sprint over his rivals for a 2.2m win over Ultimate Me and Mach Angelo.

Duggan, 52, was an inaugural member of the Tasmanian harness racing Hall of Fame in 2014.

His career in the sulky has seen him win four state drivers’ titles, 30 Tasmanian Sires’ Stakes, two Easter Cups, and five Devonport Cups, just some of his long list of achievements.

His winning tally could be much higher, but Duggan doesn’t like travelling.

He has only driven at two race meetings in Burnie in his driving career and only made the trip to the now-defunct Devonport Showgrounds a couple of times each year.

Duggan is one of five Tasmanians to have driven over 1,000 winners, the others being; Barrie Rattray (1,577 approx.), Gareth Rattray (1,481), Neville Webberley (1,369) and Darrell Alexander (1,315).

While it took Duggan several weeks to reach 1,800 wins, it took only a half-hour to make it to 1,801 when winning in the night’s final race with Mista Eagle (Fly Like An Eagle), who was prepared by his brother Adrian.

Meanwhile, there is set to be another junior driver missing from Tasmanian form guides.

Ryan Backhouse will leave the state on Tuesday to take up a position with Victorian trainer Aaron Dunn.

The 18-year-old has driven 16 winners. The most recent was with We Salute You on Friday.

Also leaving the state in the coming days are Zeke Slater and Sam Gangell, who are also moving to Victoria.

For complete race results, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing