Dick Hern
Encyclopedia
William Richard "Dick" Hern, CVO
, (20 January 1921 – 22 May 2002) was an English
Thoroughbred
racehorse
trainer
and winner of sixteen British Classic Races between 1962 and 1995, and was Champion Trainer
on four occasions.
Following his early career in the Army (Major), he became a riding instructor, including a spell as instructor to the Olympic gold medal winning team in 1952. His first training license was as private trainer to Major Lionel Holliday at La Grange Stables in Newmarket, before moving to West Ilsley three years later.
Hern became a St. Leger Stakes
specialist, winning the event six times. He produced three Epsom Derby
winners in Troy
(1979), Henbit
(1980) and Nashwan
(1989), who also won the 2,000 Guineas and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Hern trained the legendary Brigadier Gerard who was only beaten once in eighteen races. Other major winners include Sun Princess, Dayjur
, Hethersett, Bireme, Bustino
, Longboat, Little Wolf, Petoski, Highclere, Provoke, Prince of Dance, Minster Son, Unfuwain
, Dunfermline, Cut Above.
In December 1984 Hern was seriously disabled in a hunting accident, after which time he used a wheelchair.
In 1988 he was controversially sacked from his position as trainer for Queen Elizabeth II
at West Ilsley
by her racing manager 7th Earl of Carnarvon - Hern was recovering from heart surgery at the time. Later a compromise was reached whereby Hern shared the stable with the new incumbent - William Hastings-Bass (later Earl of Huntingdon
) for a year before moving to Hamdan Al Maktoum
's Kingwood House Stables in Lambourn
.
Dick Hern died in 2002 at Oxford, England at age 81.
Great Britain
----
France
----
Ireland
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, (20 January 1921 – 22 May 2002) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
and winner of sixteen British Classic Races between 1962 and 1995, and was Champion Trainer
British flat racing Champion Trainer
The Champion Trainer of flat racing in Great Britain is the trainer whose horses have won the most prize money during a season. The list below shows the Champion Trainer for each year since 1896.-----See also:* British flat racing Champion Jockey...
on four occasions.
Following his early career in the Army (Major), he became a riding instructor, including a spell as instructor to the Olympic gold medal winning team in 1952. His first training license was as private trainer to Major Lionel Holliday at La Grange Stables in Newmarket, before moving to West Ilsley three years later.
Hern became a St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
specialist, winning the event six times. He produced three Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winners in Troy
Troy (horse)
Troy was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Owned by industrialist Sir Michael Sobell and his son-in-law Lord Weinstock, under trainer Dick Hern the colt notably won the 1979 Epsom and Irish Derbys en route to earning 3-Year-Old Champion honors as well as the British flat racing Champion Owner...
(1979), Henbit
Henbit (horse)
Out of the mare, Henbit was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1980. He was bred in Kentucky by Helen Drake Jones, owner of Mineola Farm near Lexington. His sire was Hawaii, a South African Champion at two and three and then in the United...
(1980) and Nashwan
Nashwan
Nashwan was a thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.The chestnut colt was sired by the 1977 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Blushing Groom out of Height of Fashion, a daughter of Bustino previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II. He was a thus half-brother to the Group...
(1989), who also won the 2,000 Guineas and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Hern trained the legendary Brigadier Gerard who was only beaten once in eighteen races. Other major winners include Sun Princess, Dayjur
Dayjur
Dayjur was an American-bred racehorse who was trained by Dick Hern in the United Kingdom. He was beaten only four times out of eleven starts and of those, one was because he did not stay the trip, and another in the most freakish circumstances...
, Hethersett, Bireme, Bustino
Bustino
Bustino was a British Thoroughbred Champion racehorse and an important sire. Bred by E. Cooper Bland, he was sired by 1967 British Horse of the Year, Busted, and out of the mare Ship Yard....
, Longboat, Little Wolf, Petoski, Highclere, Provoke, Prince of Dance, Minster Son, Unfuwain
Unfuwain
Unfuwain was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum. In a brief career of ten starts, lasting from 9187 to 1989, he won four Group races and was placed in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe...
, Dunfermline, Cut Above.
In December 1984 Hern was seriously disabled in a hunting accident, after which time he used a wheelchair.
In 1988 he was controversially sacked from his position as trainer for Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
at West Ilsley
West Ilsley
West Ilsley is a village and civil parish in Berkshire, England.-Location and amenities:It is situated in the West Berkshire district north of the town of Newbury on the Berkshire Downs. There is also an East Ilsley approximately a mile southeast of the village.West Ilsley has a public house, The...
by her racing manager 7th Earl of Carnarvon - Hern was recovering from heart surgery at the time. Later a compromise was reached whereby Hern shared the stable with the new incumbent - William Hastings-Bass (later Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon
Earl of Huntingdon is a title which has been created several times in the Peerage of England. The title is associated with the ruling house of Scotland, and latterly with the Hastings family.-Early history:...
) for a year before moving to Hamdan Al Maktoum
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates . He is the second son of the late ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ....
's Kingwood House Stables in Lambourn
Lambourn
Lambourn is a large village and civil parish in the northwestern part of the ceremonial county of Berkshire in England. Its metropolitan district has a population of 4,017, and is most noted for its associations with British National Hunt racehorse training....
.
Dick Hern died in 2002 at Oxford, England at age 81.
Major wins
Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
- 1,000 Guineas - (2) - Highclere (1974), Harayir (1995)
- 2,000 Guineas - (2) - Brigadier Gerard (1971), Nashwan (1989)
- Ascot Gold CupAscot Gold CupThe Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
- (2) - Little Wolf (1983), Longboat (1986) - Champion StakesChampion StakesThe Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
- (2) - Brigadier Gerard (1971, 1972) - Coronation CupCoronation CupThe Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
- (2) - Buoy (1974), Bustino (1975) - Derby Stakes - (3) - Troy (1979), Henbit (1980), Nashwan (1989)
- Dewhurst StakesDewhurst StakesThe Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
- (1) - AlhaarthAlhaarthAlhharth is a retired champion Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire, bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom and Dubai during a racing career that lasted from 1995 to 1997. He was named European Champion Two-Year-Old at the 1995 Cartier Racing Awards. In his championship season he won...
(1995) - Eclipse StakesEclipse StakesThe Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
- (4) - Brigadier Gerard (1972), Ela-Mana-Mou (1980), Nashwan (1989), Elmaamul (1990) - Falmouth StakesFalmouth StakesThe Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:The event is named in honour of...
- (1) - Cistus (1978) - Fillies' MileFillies' MileThe Fillies' Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September....
- (1) - Height of Fashion (1981) - Haydock Sprint CupHaydock Sprint CupThe Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September....
- (2) - Boldboy (1977), Dayjur (1990) - International StakesInternational StakesThe International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
- (2) - Relkino (1977), Troy (1979) - July CupJuly CupThe July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
- (1) - Galivanter (1961) - King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - (5) - Brigadier Gerard (1972), Troy (1979), Ela-Mana-Mou (1980), Petoski (1985), Nashwan (1989)
- King's Stand StakesKing's Stand StakesThe King's Stand Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
- (1) - Dayjur (1990) - Lockinge StakesLockinge StakesThe Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
- (3) - Brigadier Gerard (1972), Boldboy (1974), Relkino (1977) - Middle Park StakesMiddle Park StakesThe Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was established...
- (1) - Brigadier Gerard (1970) - Nassau StakesNassau StakesThe Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 192 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:The title of...
- (2) - Nortia (1962), Cistus (1978) - Nunthorpe StakesNunthorpe StakesThe Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
- (1) - Dayjur (1990) - OaksOaks-Horse races:"Oaks" is generally used to describe a Thoroughbred horse race restricted to 3-year-old fillies. Among the best-known races using the term are:*Epsom Oaks, The Oaks Stakes, at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England; the original "Oaks" race...
- (3) - Dunfermline (1977), Bireme (1980), Sun Princess (1983) - Prince of Wales's StakesPrince of Wales's StakesThe Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
- (3) - Brigadier Gerard (1972), Ela-Mana-Mou (1980), Morcon (1984) - Queen Anne StakesQueen Anne StakesThe Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
- (1) - Sun Prince (1973) - Queen Elizabeth II StakesQueen Elizabeth II StakesThe Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is now scheduled to take place each year in October. As of 2011, it is run on Champions Day as the final race...
- (3) - Brigadier Gerard (1971, 1972), Homing (1978) - Racing Post TrophyRacing Post TrophyThe Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October....
- (1) - Emmson (1987) - St. James's Palace StakesSt. James's Palace StakesThe St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
- (2) - Brigadier Gerard (1971), Sun Prince (1972) - St. Leger - (6) - Hethersett (1962), Provoke (1965), Bustino (1974), Dunfermline (1977), Cut Above (1981), Sun Princess (1983)
- Sun Chariot StakesSun Chariot StakesThe Sun Chariot Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The...
- (1) - Dusty Dollar (1986) - Sussex StakesSussex StakesThe Sussex Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
- (2) - Brigadier Gerard (1971), Sallust (1972) - Yorkshire OaksYorkshire OaksThe Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
- (4) - None Nicer (1958), Shoot A Line (1980), Sun Princess (1983), Roseate Tern (1989)
----
FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- Prix de l'Abbaye de LongchampPrix de l'Abbaye de LongchampThe Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.-History:The Prix de l'Abbaye was one of two major...
- (1) - Dayjur (1990) - Prix de DianePrix de DianeThe Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
- (1) - Highclere (1974) - Prix du Moulin de LongchampPrix du Moulin de LongchampThe Prix du Moulin de Longchamp is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older...
- (1) - Sallust (1972) - Prix de l'OpéraPrix de l'OpéraThe Prix de l'Opéra is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.The event was established in 1974, and it was...
- (1) - Cistus (1978) - Prix Royal Oak - (1) - Niniski (1979)
- Prix VermeillePrix VermeilleThe Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1897, and it...
- (1) - Highest Hopes (1970)
----
IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Irish 1,000 Guineas - (1) - Gaily (1974)
- Irish 2,000 Guineas - (1) - Sharp Edge (1973)
- Irish Champion StakesIrish Champion StakesThe Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
- (1) - Elmaamul (1990) - Irish Derby - (1) - Troy (1979)
- Irish OaksIrish OaksThe Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
- (3) - Shoot A Line (1980), Swiftfoot (1982), Helen Street (1985) - Irish St. Leger - (2) - Craighouse (1965), Niniski (1979)