Hanover Raceway - Older Horses a Niche for Becky Geisel

by Tony Elliott

In the sport of harness racing, there is more than one way to make a living. Becky Geisel has spent the majority of her career training aged horses and takes great pride in getting the most out of these great war horses. Geisel, a resident of Hanover, grew up like many in the racing business, spending endless hours at the barn with her family and their horses. The Geisel family has a rich history in racing and like her father and uncles before her, Becky Geisel carries on the family tradition.

Geisel fell in love with the sport growing up and always enjoyed being around the family’s horses. “I was driving horses when I was 8 and I couldn’t get enough of it. Everything in the barn, I either jogged it or rode it, if I could persuade them to let me.” Geisel joked. After spending her childhood in the barn, Geisel ventured to Mohawk Racetrack to work in security at the track, shortly after getting a diploma in college for Security. It didn't take long however for Geisel to return to racing, ending up working for trainers around Mohawk and then returning home to Hanover to work for Trainer Mark Etsell. After learning many of the tricks of the trade, Geisel ventured out on her own and began training horses in her own stable.

After having early success, Geisel found her niche in racing, which has been racing aged horses. “I like getting race horses and fixing some of the issues they have, to make them more comfortable racing.” said Geisel. One horse in particular stands out as her favorite - Ryans Court. The veteran campaigner raced until the age of 14 and spent two of those years with Geisel. He won a total of 67 races and brought in over $130,000. Geisel claimed Ryans Court at the age of 12 and campaigned him around the B tracks of Ontario, including Hanover Raceway. One win at Hanover Raceway was more special than the rest, coming during a Drivers Challenge with driver Bill O’Donnell, the Harness Racing Legend, guided him to victory. O’Donnell joked after the race saying “they put the two old boys together” with a smile. Ryans Court is now retired at the Walkerton Equine Clinic, where Geisel trains. The now 31 year old gelding spends plenty of time turned out, under the watchful eye of Geisel and her long time friend Shelley May, who doubles as his Equine Massage Therapist.

Geisel entered the 2020 season coming in off a very successful 2019 season, with 15 wins and over $98,000 earned. 2020 has brought a nice new addition to the barn. Big Sir, a 3 year old Big Jim gelding, was purchased by owner Rick Rier and given to Geisel at the beginning of the 2020 season. Big Sir showed plenty of speed as a 2 year old while campaigning in the United States for trainer Michael Palone, but failed to find the winners circle in 2019.

However, 2020 is far different story for the 3 year old. Big Sir began the 2020 season with a solid 2nd place finish qualifier at Hanover Raceway. After the tune up qualifier, Big Sir was in to go at Hanover Raceway for the first start of his 3 year old season. He showcased his grit and speed, to win in 1:58.2 for Geisel and driver Ryan Holliday. The following week was no different, as Big Sir fought off competitors to win again. Big Sir’s owner had the pleasure of calling the race of each of these victories, as Rier is the Track Announcer at Hanover Raceway. After proving himself, Geisel took Big Sir to Dresden Raceway for the first leg of the Prospect Series, where Big Sir showed up his competitors, winning his third in a row by 3 lengths.

Big Sir is becoming a familiar sight in the winners circle early in 2020

Joining Big Sir in the Geisel barn this season is So Long Sugar and Acefortyfourtalon. So Long Sugar is a 6 year old mare, with plenty of hard hitting experience, showing 116 lifetime starts and just under $91,000 made. So Long Sugar has been a regular at Hanover Raceway this season, with a start on each race day thus far. Acefortyfourtalon is a high level performer with 210 career starts and over $168,000 made. The 9 year old gelding competed in the Preferred 3 level at The Raceway and at Georgian Downs before returning to Hanover Raceway to take on all rivals. This trio of high class performers will spearhead Becky Geisel’s barn for the 2020 season.

Tune in to Hanover Raceway’s live stream on their Facebook page, YouTube Channel and Hanover Raceway website to see these horses compete and place your bets at https://www.hpibet.com

Tony Elliott is the Assistant to The General Manager of Hanover Raceway.