Harness racing
b. 1843, Philadelphia, PA
d. Sept. 3, 1919
Doble was such a celebrated harness racer that Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a couplet about him: "Budd Doble, whose catarrhal name/So fills the nasal trump of fame."
He trained and drove some of the greatest harness horses of his time, starting in 1866, when he drove Dexter to 34 wins in 35 races. After a new owner took over Dexter in 1867, Doble bought Goldsmith Maid for $20,000. He sold her two years later for $37,000 but continued as her trainer and driver. In her 13-year career, campaigning throughout North America, Goldsmith Maid won 350 heats and 97 of 123 races. Her winnings were estimated at more than $364,000.
Beginning in 1890, Doble trained and drove Nancy Hanks, who was owned by J. Malcolm Forbes. She trotted a world record 2:04 at Terre Haute, IN, in 1892. The following year she ran a 2:08 at Hampden Park in Springfield, MA, breaking the track record by a full 3 seconds.
Doble was one of the first drivers to use the bicycle sulky, which was developed in 1892. The first one ever made was shipped to him, but Doble didn't try it until "Pop" Geers proved it was faster than the old high-wheeled sulky. When Nancy Hanks set her world record that year, she was pulling a bike sulky.
Hall of Fame of the Trotter
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