| BIOGRAPHY |
Seventeen year old Debbie Macfarlane started riding for her mother at Shenandoah Downs in 1969. After a few unsuccessful attempts, they packed up and headed for Vermont, home of Green Mountain Park. Here on August 2, 1969 Debbie became the first woman to win a race in that state. She piloted one of her mothers horses, High Impact to victory, when she returned to the winners circle, it was another first. This was the first mother, daughter duo to win a race as jockey and trainer. Macfarlane would only manage one more win in her short career.
Debbie's career didn't last long, it wasn't for lack of ability or injury, it had to do with love. In October of 1969 she married fellow jockey Larry Handley, back then husband and wife couldn't compete against each other, so that put the brakes on Debbie's riding career. When her husband retired from riding in 1973 to pursue a career as a trainer, Mrs. Handley took over as his assistant. The couple raised a daughter and have been married for over fifty years.
| SCRAPBOOK | ||
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| First Winner Circle Photo | ||
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| Last Winner Circle Photo | ||
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| Mr. & Mrs. Handley |