Born in Cadiz, Joe became one of the leading harness racing drivers on the continent, competing at Roosevelt, Yonkers, Liberty Bell, Washington Park, Hazel Park, Wolverine, The Meadows, Sportsman’s Park, Maywood, Aurora Downs and Hollywood Park.
Joe and his son Ron share membership in the “5,000 win club” as the only father-son driving team in harness racing history to achieve that elite status.
Marsh drove 5,882 winners to the tune of $36,401,271, and also had the longest streak (35 years) of driving at least 100 winners per season, from 1960 through 1994. From 1978-1992 he also had consecutive $1 million-plus seasons.
Marsh also held the distinction of being the first American driver to win the World Driving Championship in 1974. He also represented the U.S. in 1973, 1975 and 1987, and over the years won driving titles in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. In fact, he won nine consecutive driving titles at all Chicago area racetracks from 1971 through 1973, and as a result of that was voted 1973 Horseman of the Year by Harness Horsemen International.
Lived in Findlay for many years and is buried in Arcadia.
(b. 1934 d. 2016: Harness racing)
