In the harness racing industry, Rick his career, he amassed an incredible $95 million in purse earnings as a driver, while driving more than 7,400 winners.
Zeron’s first victory came with Oxford Mary in 1975 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, marking the beginning of an illustrious record. Following this win, he acquired Hanko Angus, a previously unknown trotter. The conditioner turned the horse from a $20,000 claimer into one of North Americas top “Free For All” performers, before being retired with over $1.2 million in career earnings.
More success was in store for Zeron with Wild Turkey, a flashy Illinois- bred trotter, who thrived under the guided the gelding to 39 lifetime victories, and earnings just shy of In July of 2007, Zeron urged another horse, Spare Time Rozie, to tie the Canadian record for aged trotting mares of 1:52.1. This matched the mark set by champion trotter Peaceful Way in 2005. Later that month, Zeron surpassed $70 million in career earnings.
Over the past decade, Zeron’s horses, Peach Martini and Lady Rainbow, have flourished in the Ontario Sires Stakes program and Grand Circuit. Both trotting fillies have combined earnings well over $1.2 million. Further, on January 15, 2010, Zeron captured his 7,000th career driving Also in 2010, Zeron received The O’Brien Award for Horsemanship, one of the highest honours that the sport presents. Zeron’s success on the track has been passed down to his son, Scott, one of the top drivers in Canada, who is also a regular driver on the WEG circuit.
Zeron, known as a family man away from the racetrack, continues to train and race horses. However, he is making a concerted effort to spend a little more time enjoying the cottage—and his home in Oakville.
