Ronnie Marsh Scores Win Number 5,000
"I drove at Balmoral in 1974, when it was still a half-mile track," Ronnie recalled. "I'd help Dad out. If he had two in, he'd drive the one-horse and I'd drive the one-A."
By 1975 Ronnie was driving on an "A" license, and since that time he amassed well over $33.4 million in purse earnings, and now has 5,001 victories to his credit. From 1988 through 1994 he had 300+ winning seasons each year, and during two of those years he won more than 400 races annually. His best year money-wise came in 1992, when he steered the winners of $2.8 million. Since 1987 Ronnie has had consistent, $2 million-winning seasons, and he scored his first one million dollar season in 1983 when he won 236 races.
Father Joe is also a harness legend, as he captured every major driving title over Illinois ovals before heading to the East Coast in the mid-1970s. The 69-year-old reinsman, who has 5,878 career victories, can still be found competing in the sulky at times. Just like Dad, Ronnie also captured a number of driving crowns at Chicagoland tracks, winning a pair of Maywood titles (in '84 & '85) as well as topping the Sportsman's Park driver's standings on four separate occasions.
"I've always just tried to do the best I could as a catch-driver," Ronnie said. "I always set out to do a good job for whoever I drove for. It could be the guy with the one-horse stable or the multi-million dollar owner. I try to treat everyone the same and do as well for them on the racetrack that I'm physically able to do. I've also been very fortunate over the years to have some very nice mounts to drive."
Ever-modest, the transplanted Buckeye native recalls his best times with Illinois standouts such as pacers Mohican Pride, Gold and the trotters Incredible Child and Raceway Willie, as well as his modern-day mounts such as the tough race mare Parkland Powerful.
Besides his father Joe, Ron was joined by his brother, trainer Robert Marsh, and his longtime girlfriend, trainer Angela Affrunti, as well as the entire Chicagoland driving colony and many local conditioners for the winner's circle celebration. When a local fan asked for Ronnie's whip, the affable Marsh smiled and replied that if the person was there until the last race, he could take possession of it then.
"I've always tried to be very friendly and accessible to
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