Hollie Hughes (horse trainer)

Hollie Hughes
Hollie Hughes
Occupation	New York Turf Writers Cup Steeplechase (1955) Flat races; Bowling Green Handicap (1958); Henry L. Straus Memorial Handicap (1951); Snap Back, Sun Dog, Golden Meadow

Hollie Hughes (October 16, 1888 - January, 1981) was a trainer of

a New York-bred race at Aqueduct Racetrack was named in his honor.^[5]

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

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

[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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