The son of Within range out of Big Blue Bird was the only horse to claim the Ohio Triple Crown this year, winning the Ohio State Fair Stakes, Ohio Breeders Championship and Ohio Sires Stakes Scarlet Championship. Trained and driven by Ronnie Gillespie, Big Ranger finished the year having won all seven starts. In addition to the Triple Crown races, he also recorded victories in the Next Generation and three legs of the Ohio Sires Stakes on his way to $370,610 in earnings.
His season-best score of 1:53.4 came during the OSS Scarlet Championship at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway on September 27. Big Ranger was bred by Spring Haven Farm and is owned by Madison Global.
“As a breeder you want to breed the best, and we are honored to be associated with a horse of his caliber,” said Senena Esty, Spring Haven Farm Corresponding Associate.
“We couldn’t be happier because of all the connections, especially Ronnie Gillespie, Dalton Walls and Madison Global.”
“I’ve been around horses long enough to know that there’s not always an ending to a storybook ending, so to be a part of this with Big Ranger was a humbling experience,” added Anthony Miller, Corresponding Associate for Madison Global.
“Maybe he’s a horse you’ll only meet once in your life.”
Big Ranger will be honored at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Annual Awards Banquet on January 10, 2026 at the Renaissance Columbus-Westerville in Westerville, Ohio.
The 2025 Ohio Horse of the Year will be announced during the awards banquet.
By Wes Mayberry for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association
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