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ARCI, Beshear, KHRC Release Statements on John Ward’s Passing

The Association of Racing Commissioners International, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission all released statements Monday reflecting on the passing of GI Kentucky Derby-winning trainer John Ward.

“On behalf of the ARCI and John's many friends in the regulatory network, permit me to express our immense sadness and condolences to Donna and John's family upon learning the news of John's passing,” said ARCI President Ed Martin. “John Ward was a gentle giant in horse racing and was committed to our horses, everyone who cares for them, our riders, and all who are involved in and love our sport. He was a man of utmost integrity, common sense and determination who had a heart and a wonderful way about him no matter who you were. I made the mistake of once introducing John as a Hall of Fame trainer. He humbly corrected me. But in my humble opinion, based on his life's achievements, he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

“John was a good friend and a great ambassador for horse racing in the state of Kentucky,” said Beshear. “His experience as a trainer and horseman gave him a unique vision to lead the KHRC into a new and prosperous era. He will be missed by the entire horse racing community. Donna and his entire family are in Britainy and my prayers.”

“John was a really good guy,” added Marc Guilfoil, current KHRC Executive Director. “He challenged us in the office to think outside the box and come up with some very good policies and procedures that we still follow today. I guarantee you can search every history book in the country and you'll not find another person who served at the executive director of any commission in the United States, ever, that was also a Derby winning trainer. That's pretty special.”

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Derby-Winning Trainer John Ward Dies At 75

John T. Ward Jr., Kentucky Derby-winning trainer and former Kentucky racing executive, has died at the age of 75. Ward is best known for saddling 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, who also won the Grade 1 Florida Derby and was third in the G1 Belmont Stakes.

Ward's training career spanned 40 years until his retirement in 2012, at which time he had saddled 3,671 starters and 574 winners for earnings of over $23 million. Besides Monarchos, he was also the conditioner of graded stakes winners Sky Mesa, Booklet, Beautiful Pleasure, Snow Dance, Forest Secrets, Gal in a Ruckus, and Strong Contender among others.

Ward was a third generation Kentucky horseman. His grandfather John S. Ward saddled runners in three consecutive Derbies, and John T. Ward Sr., trained and ran a farm in the Lexington area. His uncle Sherrill Ward was the trainer of Forego and is in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Ward Jr.'s claim of the roses in 2001 was the brass ring generations before him had reached for, as detailed in this feature from ESPN.

He served as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, and was also a founding member and former president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. He served on the Sales Integrity Task Force for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.

“John Ward Jr. personified the phrase 'Kentucky hard-boot,'” said Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson. “He was a third-generation horseman who worked tirelessly throughout his career, culminating with service as Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The dedication to his craft as a trainer was amplified 20 years ago when he patiently prepared Monarchos to a memorable victory in the 2001 Kentucky Derby. Our hearts and prayers will be with Ward's family and friends throughout Derby Week as they grieve during this difficult time.”

“John T. Ward Jr. was a consummate horseman who enjoyed great success as both a trainer and as an industry executive, and engendered enormous respect among his peers throughout his career,” read a statement from the Breeders' Cup over the weekend. “From his training victories of Monarchos in the Kentucky Derby and Beautiful Pleasure in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, to his leadership as president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International and executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, John served our sport with honor and distinction. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”

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Derby Winning Trainer John Ward Jr Passes at 75

John T. Ward Jr., whose many wins included a victory in the 2001 GI Kentucky Derby with Monarchos, passed away Saturday at age 75.

His death was reported by Churchill Downs, which released a statement from track president Mike Anderson.

“John Ward Jr. personified the phrase 'Kentucky hard-boot,'” Anderson said. “He was a third-generation horseman who worked tirelessly throughout his career, culminating with service as Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The dedication to his craft as a trainer was amplified 20 years ago when he patiently prepared Monarchos to a memorable victory in the 2001 Kentucky Derby. Our hearts and prayers will be with Ward's family and friends throughout Derby Week as they grieve during this difficult time.”

It was not immediately known what the cause of death was.

Ward's grandfather, John S. Ward, his father, John T. Ward Sr. and uncle, Sherrill Ward, were also successful horsemen, who helped pave the way for the University of Kentucky graduate. Sherrill Ward is a Hall of Famer and trained Forego.

Ward sent out his first horse in 1976, but his best years would come in the '90s and early 2000s, when he teamed up with owner John Oxley. The two teamed up to win the GI Kentucky Oaks in 1995 with Gal in a Ruckus. They also campaigned Eclipse Award winner Beautiful Pleasure, the winner of the 1999 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, Monarchos won the GI Florida Derby.

After starting just six horses in 2012, Ward retired from training, but stayed active in the sport. Shortly after his retirement, Ward became the executive director of the Kentucky Racing Commission and also served as the chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International. He was also a founding member and past president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, as well as the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (KTOB). He stepped down from his position at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in 2016.

“John Ward was a true gentleman who loved Thoroughbred racing,” the KTOB said in a statement Sunday. “Our deepest condolences to Donna.”

In a statement released Sunday evening, the Breeders' Cup said, “John T. Ward Jr. was a consummate horseman who enjoyed great success as both a trainer and as an industry executive, and engendered enormous respect among his peers throughout his career. From his training victories of Monarchos in the Kentucky Derby and Beautiful Pleasure in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, to his leadership as president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International and executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, John served our sport with honor and distinction. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.”

Ward retired from training with 568 wins and 37 career black-type winners. He also won the GI Hopeful S. in 2002 with Sky Mesa, the 2002 GII Fountain of Youth S. with Booklet and the 2001 GI Acorn S. with Forest Secrets.

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