Hall of Fame

 



f. 'gabe' cartnal

Year of Birth: 
1888
Immortal: 
Yes
DriverTrainer: 
Yes
Driver: 
Yes
Elected as Immortal: 
1985
Year of Death: 
1974
Biography: 

This Ohio native's career spanned 60 years as a trainer, driver, and breeder of harness horses. Gabe Cartnal acquired his early reputation as an accomplished reinsman with pacers, starting at the county fairs. He soon became successful racing horses such as Patchen Boy, Joe Watts and Wilma on the Grand Circuit. One of his most notable early wins was the Kalamazoo Derby, then a premier pacing event, with the great mare Prue Grattan. He subsequently won important stakes with horses such as Callie G., Isabel Grattan and Moonflower. Cartnal earned the title "national win-race champion" one year, and after the UDRS was established, he consistently ranked high in percentages. Gabe Cartnal died on June 4, 1974 at age 86.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals