trainer milestones | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott became only the seventh trainer in history to record 5,000 wins when Moon Over Miami notched a one-length score in the third race on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Mott, who was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1998, took out his trainer's license at age 16 in 1969. Throughout his storied career, the South Dakota native has won some of the world's most prestigious races including the 2019 Kentucky Derby (Country House), 1996 Dubai World Cup (Cigar) and 2010 Belmont Stakes (Drosselmeyer).

Mott was at Belmont Park on Saturday but his longtime assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy and veteran exercise rider Penny Gardiner were on hand to accept the accolade.

“We're so thrilled to achieve this milestone,” said McCarthy, who has worked under Mott for 25 years. “I know Bill is watching from New York but we are so happy, and a little relieved, to get this honor.”

Mott began his career under the tutelage of fellow Hall of Famer Jack Van Berg throughout most of the 1970s until he decided to open up his own stable in 1978. Over the next four decades, Mott trained six champions and 121 Grade I winners. Among the top horses under Mott's care were 1995-96 Champion Older Horse and Horse of the Year Cigar, 2012-13 Champion Older Female Royal Delta and 1998 Champion Older Filly Escena.

Mott held the all-time trainer lead at Churchill Downs for more than 31 years until Dale Romans surpassed his mark in 2017.

Mott ranks seventh in all-time wins behind Dale Baird (9,445), Steve Asmussen (8,873), Jerry Hollendorfer (7,651), Van Berg (6,523), King Leatherbury (6,503) and Scott Lake (6,104).

The post Mott Hits 5,000 Career Win Mark With Churchill Downs Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Canadian Hall of Fame horseman Robert Tiller celebrated a career milestone on Friday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack near Toronto, Ontario, as he earned his 2,000th training win when Have a Souper Day crossed the wire on top in the seventh race.

With Rafael Hernandez aboard, the Tiller-owned 3-year-old Have a Souper Day ($2.90) wired the field of six for his first career win, clocking seven furlongs in 1:24.62. The Souper Speedy gelding prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths over first-time starter Beyond the Budget and Valuable Pillow.

Woodbine Entertainment made a special winner's circle presentation to Tiller following social distancing protocols currently in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It's a great honor,” said Tiller, 70, of the milestone moment. “It's been a lot of years. The biggest thing I like about this is most of these starts were right here at home at Woodbine because I don't winter-race usually. I've been training [since the 1970s] and 2,000 wins is a wonderful honor. I just wanted to get it out of the way and I'm very, very honored and pleased.”

The multiple graded stakes winning trainer won his first race in 1972 courtesy of Royal Greek Ship and has since campaigned winners of more than $66.6 million in purse earnings. He has earned three Sovereign Awards as Canada's Outstanding Trainer (2001, 2003 and 2004) and the highest achievement in the sport as a 2008 inductee in the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Tiller still manages a 45-horse stable that includes Canada's top sprinter Pink Lloyd, who will make his season's debut in Thursday's $125,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes (Grade 3) at Woodbine.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues at Woodbine without spectators on Saturday afternoon. First race post time is 1 p.m.

Feature on Robert Tiller.

The post Canadian Hall Of Famer Tiller Saddles 2,000th Career Winner appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post