The Tasmanian Harness Racing Hall Of Fame boasts the cream of the state’s Standardbred industry.
One such legend is D.J. Alexander who took coastal harness racing by storm in the 70s before going on to become a national superstar of the sport he loved.
Darrell Alexander was a perfectionist, receiving the highest accolades while never lose his common touch for people or sacrificing the love for his family and friends.
This made him a much admired and popular figure, in the harness racing industry and the communities in which he lived.
Darrell was born in 1939, growing up on the family farm in Wynyard, before heading to Victoria as a sixteen-year-old, working at Massey Harris in Melbourne, Euroa sheep station and Cobram dairy farm.
With his father gravely ill Darrell worked the farm for a brief period before starting work at the Table Cape Butter Factory.
He received a two-year scholarship to study Dairy Technology at Werribee and on his return to Tasmania set up the Table Cape Cheese Factory.
Darrell’s foray into harness racing commenced in 1969 and he drove his first winner, Dalrys, at Ulverstone in 1971.
In 1973, Darrell was appointed private trainer for North West Coast harness identity Bill McDonald and the winners started flowing.
Darrell’s work ethic was enormous. Leaving home at 4.15am to work a dozen horses at McDonald’s, he drove to the Cheese Factory by 7am, worked until 5.30pm then headed to the family’s supermarket and worked through until around 9pm, all without missing a beat.
Darrell’s life almost ended in Hobart on Anzac Day 1978 when a race accident rendered him clinically dead before being revived by ambulance attendants.
The serious injuries sustained sidelined him for six months, but undeterred Darrell went on to capture five state driving and training titles and was selected to represent Australia in the World Driving Championships in Europe.
A holiday in Queensland resulted in Darrell being offered the role of private trainer for then Racing Minister Russ Hinze.
After a successful three-and-a-half year stint with the racing magnate Darrell branched out on his own, again representing Australia in 1985, winning training and driving premierships including a record of 124 winners in 2002.
Darrell was a fitness fanatic throughout his life but he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in late 2004 and sadly passed away in March 2005.
When the curtain came down on Darrell’s career he had driven 1315 winners and notched up 590 victories as a trainer.
Darrell is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Helen, four adoring daughters and 12 grandchildren.
By Shane Yates
Reprinted with permission of The Advocate