Greg Budach to be inducted into Minnesota Harness Racing Hall of Fame

Columbus, MN – Greg Budach will be honored with induction into the Living Persons sector of the Minnesota Harness Racing Hall of Fame at the upcoming MHRI annual meeting and awards banquet on Saturday (Feb. 17) which will be held at Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack in Columbus.

Greg became involved in harness racing at age 15 and has never looked back, it has been a life-long passion for him ever since. He joined the USTA in 1979 and has been an active driver, trainer and owner ever since.

By the numbers, his most notable years as a driver were in 1992 and 1993, when he posted combined numbers of 33 wins and 64 top three finishes from 101 total starts, with a combined UDRS north of (.450). Over the years he has driven 168 winners, mostly on the Minnesota fairs circuit.

A native of Albert Lea, Budach has made his home in Janesville with his wife Michelle and their children. Greg has always made time for Harness Racing and has shared his passion for the sport with his wife and his kids as well. Greg and Michelle were the breeders and owners of Dream Chasin (Fancy Schmansy), who was a standout pacer in Minnesota as a freshman and a sophomore, winning the year-end championship race both years, and taking a mark of 1:53.3 at Running Aces at age three. The experience with Dream Chasin was all the more special for the Budach’s because they were also the breeders and owners of his dam (One Wild Apple) who was by Francis Albert.

The Budach family has shared many memorable times around Harness Racing, campaigning Dream Chasin and many others over the years. Greg has always made it a point to give back to the sport that has given him so much enjoyment.

He has served on the board of directors of Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc. for more than 30 years, serving as a board member and treasurer for the organization and has been there through both the lean times as well as being an instrumental part of the growth of the sport in Minnesota in recent years.

He dedicates his time and knowledge and always has an upbeat outlook despite whatever challenges the organization has faced, Greg has always been a source of strength and stability.

Greg has also been instrumental in helping to keep the tradition of county fair Harness Racing alive in Minnesota and devotes a lot of his time each summer to keep things going at the fairs. He serves as clerk, bookkeeper, timer and operates the photo finish at the fairs and has also deputized his family members to help him keep those functions going as well.

Greg was also honored in 2023 by Harness Horsemen International as the 2022 HHI Man of the Year.

Greg Budach, Voracious Hanover, and Stuckey Dote will all be celebrated as the newest members of the Minnesota Harness Racing Hall of Fame at the (Feb 17) banquet at Running Aces.