The inaugural honor was awarded to Victory Song of Castleton Farms Stables, named the "Harness Horse of 1947" by a committee that consisted of 50 harness racing writers, radio commentators, and sports editors.
Victory Song picked up 23 first-place votes, to lead a field of 22 horses that had been nominated for the honor, edging stablemate Hoot Mon, which finished second in the balloting.
Victory Song had set the harness racing record for stallions with a time of 1:57.6 in the mile.
E. Roland Harriman, president of the Trotting Horse Club of America, announced the award and indicated that the enthusiasm shown for the honor led to the decision to make the "Harness Horse of the Year" an annual event.
[4] He also became the third horse to win the Stanley F. Bergstein Proximity-Achievement Award, the highest honor voted on by USHWA.