By Tom White
1/25/05

W.D. "Tom" Thomson was selected for inclusion into the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame by the Ohio Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association. Thomson is the 31st person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after serving the harness industry throughout his life.

He has continued the legacy of his late father, Hank, by serving as director of racing at the Delaware County Fair, along with president and treasurer of the Little Brown Jug Society, and a member of the Delaware County Fair Board. He's also served as Grand Circuit president for the past 13 years.

"We talked about it (Little Brown Jug) at the dinner table every night," Thomson recalled. "And as soon as I could drive, I was the errand boy at the fairgrounds. When I graduated from college, I came back and worked on the Jug. In 1972 my mother had open heart surgery and my dad turned over the reins to me. This is my 60th Little Brown Jug.

"I do it because it is so much fun, and I really enjoy it," Thomson continued. "It's so important to the community, and the horsemen. I've loved it and worked hard at it, and that's always been great fun.

"This award is very humbling. I treasure it. To be honored for a labor of love, is pretty special. The people that have preceded me into the Ohio Hall of Fame...I know a huge number of them, and it's a great honor to be with them."

Harness racing is a real family affair for Thomson. Son Chip is a member of the Delaware County Fair Board and works hard on the racing side, and son-in-law Tom Wright is vice-president of the Little Brown Jug Society and race secretary and fair board member.

Bret Hanover, one of the greatest pacers of all time and Little Brown Jug and Triple Crown winner in 1965, was elected into the Standardbred Hall of Fame.

Harry Stokes (1876-1939) was elected into the Immortal Hall of Fame and has been an Immortal of the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen,NY since 1976.