Hoof-Beats & History
A portrait of B'Haven drawn by resident artist, Sarah Campbell
Although mostly forgotten now, the property currently known as South Haven Farm was once known as the Austin Farm. It was home to many Standardbred racehorses over the years - the most famous being a Pacer named B'Haven.
In 1955, B'Haven emerged from the racetrack a celebrity when he won the "Governor’s Cup Preview" race, and then became the first pacer to break the 2-minute mile on a half-mile track at Sportsman's Park in Chicago. Described at the time as: “A little horse, frail in appearance but stout and swift in performance,” he captured the enthusiasm of thousands during that impressive season, driven by Wilbur Long.
B'Haven was later honored with the title of "Illinois Horse of the Year" for 1955 - incidentally, the first horse to receive this prestigious award. When at last, the little gelding retired from the races, he had amassed $229,717 in earnings throughout his career - an enormous sum of money at the time. Through his winnings, his owner, Sally Jane Austin, secured her college education and gave herself a good start in life. In later years, she was well known for her generosity and dedication to many charitable organizations. Sally passed away on May 14th, 2005 in Indianapolis IN at the age of Seventy.
In 1979, the memory of B'Haven was honored yet again as he became the first horse to be inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.
Though small in stature, B'Haven was big at heart, and in his own small way, helped to win the often intangible thing known as "The American Dream" for his owner. Now that the farm has come to appreciative hands - his memory, and the memory of his owners will be preserved for the future
In 1955, B'Haven emerged from the racetrack a celebrity when he won the "Governor’s Cup Preview" race, and then became the first pacer to break the 2-minute mile on a half-mile track at Sportsman's Park in Chicago. Described at the time as: “A little horse, frail in appearance but stout and swift in performance,” he captured the enthusiasm of thousands during that impressive season, driven by Wilbur Long.
B'Haven was later honored with the title of "Illinois Horse of the Year" for 1955 - incidentally, the first horse to receive this prestigious award. When at last, the little gelding retired from the races, he had amassed $229,717 in earnings throughout his career - an enormous sum of money at the time. Through his winnings, his owner, Sally Jane Austin, secured her college education and gave herself a good start in life. In later years, she was well known for her generosity and dedication to many charitable organizations. Sally passed away on May 14th, 2005 in Indianapolis IN at the age of Seventy.
In 1979, the memory of B'Haven was honored yet again as he became the first horse to be inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.
Though small in stature, B'Haven was big at heart, and in his own small way, helped to win the often intangible thing known as "The American Dream" for his owner. Now that the farm has come to appreciative hands - his memory, and the memory of his owners will be preserved for the future