Standardbred › Drivers & Trainers

Son of a well-known Canadian horseman, Ralph Baldwin never had any other career plans other than to become the best trainer-driver that ability would permit. He embarked on fulfilling that desire in 1933, a year before he graduated from Lloydminster (Sask.) High, with a winning effort at Dufferin Park.

He served an apprenticeship with his father and later was second trainer for him, and then for Harry Fitzpatrick, before opening his own public stable. In 1960 he became head trainer for Castleton Farm and was instrumental in developing world champions until retirement after the 1969 season. After resting one year (1970), Ralph became head trainer in 1971 for Arden Homestead Stable of Goshen, N.Y. From 1942-1946 he served as a combat infantryman, winning the Bronze Star twice, and earning three European Theatre battle stars.

Ralph developed some of the greatest trotters and pacers of the 60's and 70's. Among his best were Hambletonian champion Speedy Scot, the top stakes and free for all trotter Dartmouth, the great filly trotter Carlene Hanover and the outstanding Snow Speed. Among his finest pacers were the successful sire Race Time, winner of the Fox, Messenger and Realization stakes, and the fabulous filly Scotch Jewel.

In 1973 Baldwin won the Hambletonian with Flirth while his trotting filly Geranium was almost unbeatable, earning $121,927 in New York Sires Stakes.

Baldwin was regarded by his Grand Circuit peers as one of the sport's finest trainers and developers of trotting speed.

During his long career Baldwin picked up more than 1,120 wins and more than $5 million in purses. He won several major races, among them the Hambletonian, the Dexter Cup,. the Kentucky Futurity, the Messenger Pace, the Realization Trot, the Realization Pace, the Roosevelt International Trot, and the Colonial. He drove more than 50 winners in 2:00 or less.

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