Paynter wins Driver of the Year

Johnny Paynter cleaned up during Driving Horse and Pony Club’s season-ending awards ceremony.

The 64-year-old harness driver capped off his best campaign to date in the sport by walking away with six trophies, including awards for male driver of the year and driver with the most wins.

The father of two also played an integral role in helping Tanglewood Stables become the first to win the highly coveted Stable Trophy in successive years.

Paynter’s third season in the sport was nothing shy of phenomenal and already he's looking forward to making further strides when the 2011-12 campaign commences at Vesey Street this Fall.

“I really want to do better next year. It could be a whole new ball game next season if we get new horses,” he told the Bermuda Sun.

The veteran tow truck driver featured prominently among the headlines last season to reinforce the old adage that age is just a number.

Dedication

Asked how long he intends on racing, Paynter grinned: “I’m not retiring just yet, they will have to throw me out.”

Of all the awards he captured last season, Paynter said he cherishes the Male Driver of the Year the most.

“To get that award was very special because there are a lot of good drivers out there.”

Paynter thanked all those who contributed towards his highly successful campaign from behind the scenes.

“I must give Leo (Hey Fella Racing owner Leo Simmons) thanks for allowing me to drive his horses.”

“I also have to thank Jospeh Vieira (Tanglewood Stables owner) for allowing me to keep my horses there and for putting up with me, as well as thank my crew.”

Paynter, who attributed his superb season to commitment, dedication and good old-fashioned hard work, also had words of caution for those harbouring any thoughts of toppling him from his lofty perch next season.

“I’m not going to give anything up easy and I don’t mind the competition.”

Among those praising the veteran driver for his exploits at the racetrack was stablemate Simmons.

He said: “I think this is the best season he’s had since his rookie year. I trained with him during his rookie year and then the next I stopped.

“But this year we started training together again and put a plan in place that we stuck to and in the end reaped the benefits from.”

As for being part of Tanglewood Stables’ unprecedented title defence, Simmons said: “It was a good accomplishment because that was our main goal at the beginning of the season.

“When we started training we set the goal of winning the Stable Trophy back–to- back because no other stable had done that before.”