that day well and recollected, “I was dri— ving my father’s horse, Mz'ramz‘chz'james and I finished second. In my next race, I drove the same horse and we had the rail and won paying $99.90 on the nose.” David accumulated over 917 victories and over $1,458,272 in purse earnings. In 2001 alone, he had 103 wins and $100,572 in total purse earnings. These impressive statistics indicated that David O’Brien had matured as a major player in harness racing in the Atlantic provinces. Incidentally, his fastest win ever was in 12562 with All Talles Brother for Joe MacRae at the GDP.

David had experiences with some memo— rable horses. He described these horses with fond memories. He drove Bah when he worked for Rollie Larkin and won in 1:572 with this free legged pacer who was a nice little horse and a good race horse. Joe MacRae's All Talles Brother was a great horse to drive who always gave him 100 per cent and Rollie Larkin’s Rennz’es Fella was a good horse. David drove Grampys Accolade for Ron MacDonald when he worked for Earl Smith. He finished second with him in the Barrieau—McIsaac Stake. For Dale and Ronnie Rennie, he drove Baym'nt Maddog who was a nice horse. Clark Smith asked David to drive Walter Simmonds” joe Six Pacle and he won in 1:592 which was David‘s first sub two minute mile. This teamster was involved with some other fine horses but the above five may have topped his list.

140

Behind the Gate

When asked to select his favorite horse, David hesitated and responded, “All Talles Brother because you don‘t often get to drive a horse like him for a person like Joe MacRae.”

David received his driver’s licence in 1986 but most of his drives were in the last 11 years since he opened his own stable. He had some big races but three stood out. “I finished second in the $50,000 Dairy Queen to Seltzer Blue with TBear Prz'a'e,” he proudly stated. Another accomplishment was winning the Joe MacRae Memorial with Big O and that was quite a race for him to win because of his association with Joe MacRae. His most memorable race was finishing sec— ond in the Barrieau—McIsaac Stake with Grampy’s Accolade after being parked the whole mile.

There have been positive changes in standardbred racing and we in the Atlantic provinces have not been immune to these changes. David believed that breeding has improved because this region has been importing quality mares and quality stallions. For example, Da/eota Express by Matter ofMoney out of Lisa Battles won five consecutive races at the famed Meadowlands and then was charted in 1:50 and change against their top class. Island breeders Owen MacI.ean and Calvin MacQuarrie could take a bow for this fellow along with his trainer, former Islander, jackie MacLeod.