Sheila Napier turned some bad choices into harness racing success
by Victoria Howard
“Winning the Little Brown Jug with Big Bad John was the most memorable time of my life,” said true blue Buckeye Sheila Napier.
Born in Cincinnati, OH, and raised in Delaware, OH, home to the Little Brown Jug, Napier spends the summer months in Waldo, OH, and in the winter, she is one of the lucky ones who currently lives and works in Deleon Springs, FL.
Growing up her family was not involved in harness racing, and her introduction to our sport was anything but glamorous.
Like many young people, Napier got involved with the wrong crowd and did some not so pretty things.
But whether it was her guardian angel or fate, she turned something that could have ruined her future into a career she loves.
After being involved in something that was wrong, Napier was apprehended, but thankfully, a compassionate probation officer didn’t want to see young her pick up trash on the road doing community service; instead, he steered her in the direction of working with horses.
Turning her life around Napier enrolled in the equine science class at the DACC (Delaware Area Career Center) and her teacher would be harness horse advocate Jo Pollock.
“When I got involved with the horses, I worked for some of the best trainers who all taught me something different,” Napier said. “I worked for Frank Todd, Dave Myrick, Virgin Morgan, Jr, Ken Charles, Jim Arledge, Brian Brown, Chris Beaver, Sugar Valley Farm, and I’m currently working for Ron Potter.
“I’ve been lucky to have cared for some very nice horses, but I’d have to say Custom Cantab is my favorite. That mare had a huge heart and gave us her all every time she hit the track.
“Her fastest win was 1:52 flat in Tioga as a 4-year-old, but she trotted home in 1:49.2 at The Meadowlands when she was in against the big girls.”
Napier said she has had many thrilling moments in our sport, some of which she shared with her daughter.
“Jessica loves horses and the business,” Sheila said. “She has worked for Brian and Jenny Brown, and Beau and Teesha Brown, and is my side kick on the road. She will soon start her journey with the breeding part at Sugar Valley Farm.
“She is only 18 years old, but I see Jessica’s deep passion and love for the sport and horses and think she will be doing this for a long time. Guess she’s taking after her mom.
“My daughter has a horse named Carol’s Comet which I help her out with the expenses, etc. Ironically, years ago I took care of Carol’s Comet when Ron Potter trained her. I’m really excited because it’s coming to a full circle now for, we are currently breaking Comet’s nephew.
“As far as my most exciting time in the sport I would have to say was working with Big Bad John and racing in the Little Brown Jug.”
All of Sheila’s hard work received some national recognition a few years back.
“In 2018 I got the Caretaker of the Year Award with Custom Cantab,” she said. “It was such an honor. That’s probably why Custom Cantab is my favorite all-time horse.”
According to Sheila, there are a few women that she admires in the business, but there is one that stands out a little more than the others.
“Jennifer Brown is on the top of the list,” Sheila said. “She is an amazing friend, mother, sister, aunt, grandma, who I most definitely look up to.”
Having worked for several trainers, Sheila said even though they all helped advance her career, a few of them stand out as well.
“Like I said before, every trainer that I have worked for has taught me something important,” she said. “Frank Todd taught me a lot. He patiently broke me in for the fair circuit.
“Virgil Morgan taught me about the claiming/overnight races, and Ron Potter guided me through the Grand Circuit and most definitely has been my biggest mentor.”
Although she loves living in her home state, Sheila said there are times when she doesn’t mind being elsewhere.
“This is my eighth year being a snowbird,” she said. “Last winter I stayed in Ohio and although it’s home, never again do I want to be there during the winters. The weather conditions are so much better in sunny Florida. I started going to Florida in the winter with Chris Beaver, but now come with Ron Potter.”
Sheila said she has some advice for those who want to start working with horses, part of which is not to get too attached.
“First of all, you must have a good routine,” she said. “Horses are living things who need love and care. They are creatures of habit and need to be on a routine and have to trust you.
“This past November I had to let go of one of my favorites named Whatchagonnado. He was my favorite because we learned so much together.
“He was tough to break and had to do things a certain way, the same way every day. But sadly, I learned that if you are in the business that most horses are for sale. I have shed some tears cleaning a horse’s stall for the last time or loading them on a trailer for the last time.”
Note: It was recently announced that one of harness racing’s all-time great drivers, David Miller, who drove Big Bad John to victory in the Little Brown Jug, will be driving exclusively in his home state Ohio. That’s great news for Ohio, but we will miss watching him race at other tracks.
