On
June 25th he harnessed his 3000th winner and on that date
his pupils had collectively earned over $50 million. Since then Ford sent out
another 29 winners who have rewarded their owners with an additional $900,000
in purse money.
Like
most in racing Ford started out slowly working for other trainers. The West
Virginia native learned his lessons well, and worked hard to join the cadre of
our sport's most exceptional horsemen.
He
credits Clint Galbraith, Ted Wing and Ray Schnittker as being most instrumental
in his being able to advance in the sport
Though
noted for conditioning equine millionaires; Whosurboy, Turnpike Token, Armbro
Animate, Stonebridge Kisses, Self Professed, On The Attack, and
double-gaited world champion Six Day War still his heart hangs heavy for the
great Gallo Blue Chip who earned over $4.26 million all under Ford’s tutelage
and was named Horse of the Year Gallo during the 2000 campaign.
However,
to have accumulated over $50 million in purse money couldn’t have happened
without years of consistent success in the overnight ranks as well.
“Right
now I’m training about 60 horses,” Ford admits.”It’s certainly a full-time
job.”
A
few years back Mark and his associates built a fabulous training center which
carries a Middletown, NY address but is actually closer to Goshen, NY. And as
the operator of the Mark Ford Training Center, Ford oversees the multi-million
dollar state-of-the-art facility as well as conditioning a huge and successful
stable of race horses.
Recently
Ford lent his time and staff to help insure the success of the USTA
Driving School which was presented at his facility and at
Goshen’s Historic Track. The Driving School was so successful that plans are
being made to again have the educational organization back in Orange County,
NY next season.
Ford
is a director of the United States Trotting Association and director of
the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey.
Only 41 years of age and already one of harness
racing top 10 winningest trainers Ford has lots of time to add to his totals.
On
November 18 Ford will be honored for his outstanding accomplishments by
the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA when the scribes hold their 54th
Annual Awards Banquet at the Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, NY.
