Hall of Fame

Ralph Hanover (1980–2008), the son of Hall of Fame Immortal Meadow Skipper, rose to prominence as one of the most accomplished pacers of his era. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and campaigned as a juvenile by the Waples Stable, Pointsetta Stables, Grants Direct Stables, and
P. J. Baugh, he was trained by Stew Firlotte and driven throughout his career by Ron Waples. As a two-year-old, Ralph Hanover quickly demonstrated his potential, winning 7 of 15 starts, including a standout performance in the Bluegrass Stakes where he took a record of 1:54.1.

His three-year-old season in 1983 became the stuff of harness racing legend. Ralph Hanover won 20 of 25 starts with four seconds, sweeping pacing’s prestigious Triple Crown—the Cane Pace, Little Brown Jug and Messenger Stakes. His dominance extended far beyond those classics, as he also captured major victories in the Meadowlands Pace, Adios, Prix d’Été, Tattersalls, Simcoe and Queen City Stakes. By the end of the season, Ralph Hanover had established a new single-season earnings record of $1,711,990, a testament to both his consistency and his brilliance on the track. His achievements earned him the title of 1983 Dan Patch Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year.

Following his racing career, Ralph Hanover was retired to stud at Almahurst Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, where he stood for six years before relocating to Ontario for the 1990 breeding season. Although he sired the winners of $17.5 million, none of his offspring matched the extraordinary accomplishments of their sire.

Ralph Hanover lived out his final years in Ontario and was humanely euthanized on October 18, 2008, at the age of 28. He was laid to rest at Mac Lilley Farms, leaving behind a legacy defined by speed, stamina and a Triple Crown season that remains one of the most memorable in pacing history.