Horsemen Mourn Passing Of Edwards, Balsinger and Hairfield

The Maryland racing community is mourning the recent loss of Derrick Edwards, Troy Balsinger and William Hairfield.

Edwards began his career at Charles Town Races in West Virginia before working at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. He was the steady, trusted hand assigned to three Preakness Stakes winners: California Chrome in 2014, American Pharoah in 2015, and Justify in 2018.

In May of this year, Edwards traveled to Churchill Downs to be part of the starting gate crew and handled Golden Tempo, the eventual winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Bruce Wagner, the starter for TMJC, said Edwards was part of this team for about 18 years. He said Edwards regularly worked on the gate crew for the Kentucky Derby, was on the Saratoga Race Course gate crew for several summers and also worked at Colonial Downs.

“He went to work the Derby every year, and I went with him two of those years,” Wagner said. “Last year, we both went to Del Mar to work the Breeders’ Cup. He was one of my top guys, one of my right-hand men.”

Balsinger, who attended Laurel High School, worked in racing many years including at the Bowie Training Center. Based at Laurel Park, Balsinger worked for several trainers including Norman Cash when the trainer brought a string to Maryland.

Most recently, Balsinger was a van driver for trainer Jamie Ness, who has a string at Laurel.

William Edward “Eddie” Hairfield, a former jockey, exercise rider and trainer, began his career at the age of 15 under the guidance of teacher and mentor, Sam Kirk, who taught him the art of exercising racehorses. Several years later, he became a jockey and rode professionally for a brief time, earning his first victory at Sunshine Park in Florida.

Over the years, Hairfield developed a reputation as one of the finest exercise riders. He transitioned to Thoroughbred training and enjoyed a highly successful and rewarding career, primarily in Maryland. From 1976 to 2013, Hairfield’s horses won 216 races and earned more than $2 million.

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