Trainer Herb Holland has been immersed with harness racing for the majority of his life. The 67-year-old trainer has been going to the track since his age reached double digits and has maintained a small to mid-size barn for decades. Good things come to those who wait and luck brought Captain’s Quarters to Holland in 2023 and helped him reach new heights for stable earnings. The Captaintreacherous-sired colt finished second in the North America Cup for Holland and fifth in the Meadowlands Pace. The Canadian-based trainer took time from his busy schedule to discuss Captain’s Quarters as well as his personal path in harness racing. Enjoy!    How did you get started in harness racing? I started at a small track in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia called Black Diamond Park. It was down the road from my house and I started going there full-time as a kid when I was like 11 or 12 years old. Was there ever a chance that harness racing wouldn’t be your path in life? No. If I won the Hambletonian or Meadowlands Pace, I have a couple of siblings that might know the importance of it, but that would probably be the extent of it. More than 40 years into year career as a trainer, have things gone the way you expected when you started? I didn’t really have any expectations. It was just something I liked to do. Thank God I’ve been able to withstand the ups and downs. Of course I wanted to be the greatest driver in the world, but I was very average at that. I did win some races at all the major tracks. Looking at your stats, there were years when you had only a few horses and others when you had much more. Is that just the ups and downs of the industry? I went back home to Nova Scotia for a couple of years when my kids were young. Because of the way the industry is, you’re never at home and there are long hours with no time for family. So I went home for several years and just raced locally at fair-type tracks. Were you able to sustain yourself racing at those tracks? What helps is that I don’t drink, gamble or smoke. I don’t have any bad habits to get me in trouble. The purses weren’t very much, we were racing for only $1,000. Where are you stabled and how many horses do you have? Beachwood Acres in Burlington, Ontario. I have a dozen horses. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? Mohawk because of the location and the purses are good. It is home for now. What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness racing? Just chillin’ out. I don’t have any other hobbies. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Sticktoitiveness, if that is such a word. By trial and error you win the day. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten or given about harness racing? Be honest, do the best job you can and have integrity. Integrity is number one. What was your best moment in harness racing? Winning the Metro last year with Captain’s Quarters. Is it safe to assume that Captain’s Quarters is the best horse you’ve ever trained? Yes, for sure. And I believe the best is yet to come from him. Courtesy of Captain’s Quarters you had a career year in terms of earnings in 2023. Is he a dream come true? I’m sure every trainer likes to have that kind of horse but most of the small trainers don’t get horses like that in their barns. There is a big difference buying $235,000 yearlings and $20,000 yearlings that certainly can make your average much better. Speaking of the $235K Lexington purchase price by current owner Rich Stiles of Michigan. How did he land in your barn? I actually bought the yearling for Mr. Stiles at the sale because Greg Peck wasn’t able to attend. Mr. Stiles picked the colt out and asked me to look at him and I approved it. Basically he was sent to Greg and eight million things happened wrong and it all went right for me, so to speak. Greg had lost his license and couldn’t race or train anywhere. I guess Mr. Stiles figured because I bid on the horse at the sale for him I deserved a shot. I had never met the guy. Greg called me in Lexington and asked me to look at the colt. When I opened the book I thought ‘you have to have a lot of money to buy this colt’ and he said it was for a new client. When did you first get the horse? I think it was April 2023. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? Medications. The rules and some of the illegal things – performance enhancing stuff. It is ruining the horse and it is contributing to the shortage of horses around. That is why a lot of the older guys are not in it anymore, because the younger generation may not be able to put a harness together but they can get them to go. I think it is hurting our industry. How do you view the future of harness racing? I think it is right on the fence and it can go one way or another. I think we need better leadership in Canada and the U.S. What does a day in the life of Herb Holland look like? I’m an early riser and I go to the track every time we race. If Mohawk is racing five nights a week, four of them I could be racing. I get up early, go feed; I’m five minutes from the track and training center. Whenever I finish I’ll go home, relax a little while, and most of the time I have to go back and race. Time for the stretch drive. Best Horse you ever saw:  Somebeachsomewhere would have to rank up there. There might be a trotter that is comparable but as a pacer he is one of the best. Lasix – Yes or No: Yes. Trotters or Pacers:  I buy more trotters. Captain’s Quarters might be one of only three or four pacers in my barn. [EDITOR’S NOTE: Questions relating to the Meadowlands Pace were omitted since this interview took place before that race was contested.]