niatross cast

Clint Galbraith - Owner, Trainer, Driver of Niatross

Clint Galbraith, consummate horseman, in that he developed, trained, drove and managed the brilliant Niatross' racing career. Galbraith always had the colt's best interest at heart. He never overused Niatross chasing records but rather took the approach of using enough to accomplish the task at hand but also conserve something for the next battle.

Clint was raised in southern Ontario, the son of a horseman, but eventually settled in western New York (Scottsville) where he and his family have their farm (Rodney Farms). Most of Galbraith's charges are homebreds (as was Niatross) and he mainly concentrates on the New York Sires Stakes circuit.

He has won over 2,700 races and over $18 million in purse money. Galbraith developed other notable trotters and pacers, Cream of Freight, Niafirst and of course, two-time Breeders Crown Champion, Call For Rain.

Galbraith's legacy in the trotting sport will be his superb handling of perhaps the greatest horse the sport has ever seen.

 

Mrs. Elsie Berger - Owner/Breeder of Niatross

Mrs. Berger, of Grand Island, NY, owned Niagara Dream, dam of Niatross, and had been involved in harness racing since the 1950s.

Gave Clint Galbraith half-ownership of Niatross.

Mrs. Berger was voted (by Horseman and Fair World Subscribers) the 1980 Horseman Award for her contributions to the sport of harness racing.

' Niatross is a gift from God. He's a beautiful being and I would love him even if he were worth almost nothing.'
- Co-owner Elsie Berger.

 

 

Marie Carson - Caretaker of Niatross
Marie Carson, from Coolville, Ohio, moved to Rochester, NY to work for Eastman Kodak as a chemical engineer.After being laid off from Kodak she answered a help wanted ad in the Rochester newspaper placed by the Galbraith stable.

Marie began work for the stable and ended up caring for Niatross when another groom left the stable. Being a native of Ohio, Marie's biggest thrill was winning the sports most prestigous pacing event, The Little Brown Jug.

Marie's husband, William Gill, was the caretaker of one of Niatross' chief rivals, Tyler B. The friendship Marie & Bill developed cooling out their colts after stakes races led to their marriage!

 

Meadow Skipper (foal 1960) Sire of Albatross

Meadow Skipper was a brown colt foaled in 1960. He earned over $ 428,000 as a racehorse. He was a world or season champion every year he raced and when he retired to the breeding farm it was no different. Meadow Skipper is one of the sports outstanding sires.

He has sired over 450 two minute pacers including Triple Crown winners Ralph Hanover and Most Happy Fella and millionaires Ralph Hanover, Chairmanoftheboard, Albatross, Land Grant, Mr. Dalrae, filly Naughty But Nice, and Governor Skipper.

Meadow Skipper's offspring have earned over $66,000,000.

 

Albatross (foal 1968) - Sire of Niatross

Albatross retired as the richest standardbred ever (as did Niatross). Albatross was the horse of the year in 1971 & 1972 and was World Champion on a half-mile track at four. Albatross retired with the most two-minute miles ever.

Like his sire, Albatross carried his excellence to the breeding shed. Albatross has sired over 1,100 two minute pacers. The offspring of Albatross have earned over a whopping $128,000,000. Albatross is also a top sire of mares, Fan Hanover & Three Diamonds, to mention a few. Two of his top colts beside Niatross are Jaguar Spur and the great Sonsam.

Albatross won 59 of 71 career starts with $1,201,470 in purse earnings.

 

Nihilator (foal 1982) Son of Niatross

Nihilator, son of Niatross, grandson of Albatross and great-grandson of Meadow Skipper, retired the richest standardbred ever ($3,225,653) becoming the first standardbred to exceed $3,000,000 in earnings.

Nihilator also was the first to break the 1:50 barrier (1:49.3) in a race
(Niatross first broke the barrier in his Time Trial).

'Nihilator is certainly the fastest horse I've ever trained' - Hall of Famer William Haughton