John Campbell - Harness Hero

John Campbell was born on April 8, 1955 in London,Fame at the age of 35 in 1990. He has won most of
Ontario. He idolized harness racing drivers from thethe major harness races multiple times, including
time he was very small. Beginning his racing career inwinning the prestigious Hambletonian six times: in 1987
1972 at Windsor Raceway in Ontario. He eventuallydriving Mack Lobell; in 1988 driving Armbro Goal; in 1990
became a catch-driver. This is a driver who is hired ondriving Harmonious; in 1995 driving Tagliabue; in 1998
a freelance basis to drive a horse in a race. In 1975, hedriving Muscles Yankee; and in 2006 driving
moved to the Meadowlands in New Jersey. ThisGlidemaster. He has also won the Sweetheart eight
proved to be a good move, as he made more intimes, the Little Brown Jug three times, and the
winnings that year than in the previous three yearsMistletoe Shalee five times, among many other wins.
combined. In 1979, he had his first big win year. He wasIn 2000, he was awarded the Meritorious Service
the top money winner for 12 out of the next 17 years.Medal from his home country of Canada in honor of
In 1982, he went on to win his first million dollar racehis having performed in a highly professional manner. In
driving Hilarion in the Meadowlands Pace. In 1983, John2000, Campbell reached an unprecedented $100 million
Campbell won seven races in one day for the firstin career earnings at the Meadowlands track. This
time in his career. He would go on to do this four morewas the first time a driver had won so much at a
times. In 1997, he won his 5,000th career victory atsingle track. He won the Meadowlands Pace seven
Meadowlands and took two more Breeders' Crowntimes and took the track driving title fifteen times. In
victories with the Mares Open and the Open Trot.2003, John Campbell suffered a broken right elbow
He has gone on to win Driver of the Year 4 times: inand damage to his hand. For the first time in 24 years,
1983, 1988, 1990 and 2006. He was the youngesthe did not finish first or second in driver standings. He
member to be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall ofwas still back at work in 88 days after the accident.