Hollie Hughes (horse trainer)

Hollie Hughes (October 16, 1888 - January, 1981) was a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses who won the 1916 Kentucky Derby and was a six-time winner of the most prestigious steeplechase race in the United States, the American Grand National. His career successes earned him induction into the U. S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1973.[2][3][4] In 1979, a New York-bred race at Aqueduct Racetrack was named in his honor.[5]

This article is about an American horse trainer. For the Australian politician, see Hollie Hughes (politician).
Hollie Hughes
OccupationHorse trainer
BornOctober 16, 1888
Amsterdam, New York, USA
DiedJanuary 1981 (aged 92)
East Rockaway, New York
Resting placeSaint Mary's Cemetery, Fort Johnson, New York
Major racing wins
Steeplechase races:
American Grand National
(1930, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1959, 1960)
North American Steeplechase Handicap (1934)
Temple Gwathmey Handicap (1932)
Brook Steeplechase Handicap (1932)
Shillelah Steeplechase Handicap
(1935,1955)
New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase (1955)

Flat races
Astoria Stakes (1917)
Demoiselle Stakes (1917)
Edgemere Handicap (1918)
Excelsior Stakes (1918)
Nursery Handicap (1921)
Expectation Handicap (1922)
Old Rosebud Handicap (1922)
Stuyvesant Handicap (1922)
Flamingo Stakes (1946)
Monmouth Handicap (1947)
Royal Palm Handicap (1947)
Oceanport Stakes (1948)
Whitney Handicap (1949)
Bowling Green Handicap (1958)
Henry L. Straus Memorial Handicap (1951)

American Classics wins:
Kentucky Derby (1916)
Honors
U. S. Racing Hall of Fame (1973)
Hollie Hughes Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack[1]
Significant horses
George Smith, Round View, Tourist II, Best Play, Snap Back, Sun Dog, Golden Meadow

Early life and career

Hughes was born on a farm not far from Amsterdam, New York. At age 15 he took a job at Gen. Stephen Sanford's Hurricana Stud Farm in Amsterdam where, by 1914, the then 26 year-old was appointed head trainer for the Sanford racing operations. Although he would remain in that position for the next 61 years until retiring in 1975 at the age of 87, Hughes joined the United States Army during World War I.[6]

In 1916 Hollie Hughes won the Kentucky Derby with George Smith. A winner of 20 stakes races, Hollie Hughes enjoyed his most success with steeplechase runners. In addition to his six American Grand National wins, horses under his care won all the major steeplechase events.[7]

"Don't fall off"

The May 2, 1998 issue of the New York Times wrote that Ron Turcotte, Secretariat's jockey, had often told a story about meeting Hollie Hughes just before the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Hughes told him: "Son, you're riding the greatest horse that ever looked through a bridle. I have seen them all, including Man o' War. Secretariat is the best I've ever seen. You will win the Belmont. Don't fall off."[8]

Personal life and death

Hollie Hughes was married to actress Grace Davison from 1926 until her death in 1964.

Hollie Hughes passed away in January 1981 at age 92. He is buried with his wife, Anne Mitchell Hughes, at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Fort Johnson, New York, about 3 miles from the Sanford Stud in Amsterdam.[9]

References
  1. NYRA Retrieved August 10, 2018
  2. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
  3. "Grand Old Man of Racing Inducted Into Hall at 85". The New York Times. 1973-08-10. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  4. "Hollie Hughes". Racingmuseum.org. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
  5. NYRA Retrieved August 10, 2018
  6. The Schenectady, NY Daily Gazette - Saturday, June 23, 2012 article on Hollie Hughes Retrieved August 10, 2018
  7. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
  8. May 2, 1998 New York Times article titled "Another Secretariat Not So Easy" Retrieved August 10, 2018
  9. Find A Grave Memorial# 78594662
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