During 1966 Bret Hanover won several major races including the American National, Empire Pace and Realization Pace. He also made a start in Canada winning the Autumn Classic before a record Canadian crowd for a harness race of 24,454. In his last ever race, the American Classic at Hollywood Park, Bret Hanover set a torrid pace reaching the half mile in 56 seconds and the mile in 1.54 3/5 before tiring. True Duane won with Cardigan Bay finishing second and Bret Hanover third. Trainer and driver Frank Ervin, who was unwell, later admitted he would not have driven Bret Hanover had it not been his last race. Bret Hanover was then retired with a record of 68 starts for 62 wins 5 seconds 1 third and $922,616 in stakes earnings. He was named U. S. Horse of the Year again for 1966.