Dean Magee to be inducted into Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame
From: WHHA
Wisconsin native, Dean T. Magee, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 28th during the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association Annual Banquet.
Dean got his start here in Wisconsin working for the great Wisconsin Hall of Famers Hugh & Elwood Magee. Dean worked hand and hand, especially with Hugh, learning the harness racing trade and developing his horsemanship skills. These skills would not only be used as a trainer, but also as a driver. While being a groom and trainer apprentice, he received his driver's license and had his very first drive here in the Badger State in Manitowoc in 1981. Also, George "Woody" Woodbridge put Dean up on Hurricane Belle winning his first race with her in Manitowoc in the early 1980's and then went on to win with her at Quad City Downs.
Not many Wisconsin horsemen get the opportunity to make it big, but Dean set off to have his try. He soon moved to Quad City Downs as a teenager to begin grooming for his older brother Dave Magee (also Hall of Fame inductee). Dean embarked on his own driving career and his driving style captured three consecutive driving titles at Quad City Downs in the 1980's. Soon thereafter he headed to the Windy City to try his luck and was met with great success. Dean has driving all over the country and even in Canada and was given the opportunity to be the regular pilot of Yankee Cruiser who has given Dean his biggest wins to date.
He has over $28 million in purse earnings and over 4,500 wins to his credit. He has won 14 races with purses over $100,000. Not only has Dean been a powerhouse in Illinois, but he has traveled the country and Canada driving in the Breeder's Crown, Meadowlands Pace, and North American Cup.
Dean has never forgotten his Wisconsin roots. During his tenure at Quad City Downs and the Chicagoland racetracks, Dean continued to be a steady driver for a slew of Wisconsin stables. This proves that just because he moved on to the pari-mutel setting, he still kept his Wisconsin family at heart. He most recently kept us in mind by frequenting the Minnesota track Running Aces and making some cameo driving appearances in Wisconsin in 2007 & 2011.
The event is held annually at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Madison, WI, and everyone is welcome to join. Dinner tickets are $22.50/person and can be obtained by contacting Gabe Wand (608-574-5468 or gabewand@yahoo.com) or by mailing payment to WHHA Secretary Jeanne Marquis, 6651 Hyslop Rd. Dane, WI 53529. Also, the WHHA has a room rate of $77.00/per night (hot breakfast buffet included) and you can book rooms by contacting the hotel directly. (608-244-2481).
Photo Credit: VIR81 = Richard Gilbertson; Yankee Cruiser: Mark Hall, USTA ? (he sent it to me, I assume he took it :)
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