Veteran Trainer, Driver and Owner Jim Gluhm, 77, of Trenton, Florida died at home on February 11, 2021

Veteran Trainer, Driver and Owner Jim Gluhm, 77, of Trenton, Florida died at home on February 11, 2021.  

Mr. Gluhm was born in Hamilton, Ohio on July 28, 1943 to Dr. Charles and Helen Gluhm.  Mr. Gluhm’s Father was a veterinarian in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Mr. Gluhm started his career in harness racing after high school and a short stint in college working for one of his mentors Charlie King.  Mr. Gluhm was then drafted into the Army in 1965 where his appointment was at Fort Sam, Houston, TX looking after the Modern Pentathlon stable of horses.  Upon his discharge from the Army in 1967 he returned working for Charlie King racing horses from New York to California.  Among Mr. Gluhm’s other mentors helping him along the way in his young career were his longtime friends John Patterson, Bruce Nickells and Eldon Harner.  

Mr. Gluhm opened his public stable in the late 1970’s racing along the East coast and quickly found success with young stakes horses specializing with trotters.  Mr. Gluhm was instrumental in selecting and developing young talents including 1986 Hambletonian Oaks and 1985 and 1986 two time Breeders Crown winner Jef’s Spice who went on to win over $2 million Internationally.  He also developed back to back 1983 and 1984 Million Dollar Peter Haughton winners, Why Not ($823,108) and Another Miracle ($906,314) along with standouts Jazz Cosmos ($701,568), Nearly Perfect ($630,327) and 1991 Goldsmith Maid winner, My Starlet.  Mr. Gluhm trained Tabor Lobell as a four year old finishing 3rd in The 1987 International Trot and came back to follow up with a win in The Challenge Cup at Roosevelt Raceway.  There were many sire stakes and sire stake finals won through the years as well.  Mr. Gluhm’s success was a benefit of having wonderful owners that loved harness racing.

Mr. Gluhm and his wife Dottie purchased parcels of The Castleton Farm of Florida in Trenton in the late 1980’s where they developed a small broodmare band and stood some stallions that were prominent in the Florida program in the 1990’s, 2000’s era.  One of the horses during that time was their homebred Basil who is a Florida Hall of Fame Sire.

Jim loved life and felt that he had a good one and said “It was a good ride”.  Cheers.

Mr. Gluhm is survived by his two daughters, Kimberlie (Jeff) Miller, Annette Davis (Brett Carachi) and his Brother David Gluhm.  He also leaves behind many people whom he was honored to call friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to a local chapter of The American Legion to benefit our Military Veterans and their Families.