Jonathan E. Sheppard
Encyclopedia
Jonathan E. Sheppard is a Hall of Fame
trainer
in American Thoroughbred
horse racing
.
Sheppard came to the United States in 1961 and in 1966 won his first race with Haffaday in a steeplechase event at My Lady's Manor, Maryland
. In 1973 he won his first earnings championship in steeplechase
racing. He went on to win the earnings title another twenty-three times. He has trained the winner of four Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
and holds the record for most wins in the Colonial Cup Steeplechase with eleven. Sheppard is the only trainer to win the American steeplechase Triple Crown, doing it with Flatterer, the only horse to win the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Steeplechase horse
four years in a row.
In addition to steeplechase racing, Jonathan Sheppard has met with considerable success in flat racing
. In both venues, he has had a long working relationship with stable owner, George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
and in 2008 he conditioned Strawbridge's filly
Forever Together
to victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
.
In 1990, he was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
.
In 2004, Jonathan Sheppard was elected president of the National Steeplechase Association
.
In 2008, Sheppard joined fellow Hall of Famee inductee Sidney Watters, Jr. as the only men in American racing to have trained a champion over both jumps and on the flat. As of 2010, Sheppard's horses have won twelve Eclipse Awards:
Leading US steeplechase trainer of all time in victories and earnings =
On Sept 25, 2010 he achieved the milestone of getting his 1,000th steeplechase victory as a trainer. At Monmouth Park Racetrack
his trainee Arcadius took the $100,000 Helen Haskell Sampson Stake (NSA-G1) by a length under Brian Crowley. He became the first trainer to send out 1,000 jump winners in the United States. The milestone is considered all the more impressive with the low annual volume of National Steeplechase Association
sanctioned races. In 2008, for example, there were a total of only 168 jump races held that year in the US.
On October 29, 2011 (with the victory of the runner 'Dugan' at the Aiken Fall Races) Sheppard’s career winnings in National Steeplechase Association races rose by $9,000 (USD) to $20,002,192. The British-born trainer, 70, is the first in the American sport ever to pass the $20-million mark, unadjusted for inflation. His closest competitor, Jack Fisher, has yet to hit the $10,000,000 mark.
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
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...
in American 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...
horse racing
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...
.
Sheppard came to the United States in 1961 and in 1966 won his first race with Haffaday in a steeplechase event at My Lady's Manor, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. In 1973 he won his first earnings championship in steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
racing. He went on to win the earnings title another twenty-three times. He has trained the winner of four Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase
The Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase is an American Grade I NSA sanctioned steeplechase race run each fall over the rolling hills of Moorland Farms in Far Hills, New Jersey. Set over a 2⅝ mile course during the one day Far Hills Races, it has 14 national fences, and a purse of $300,000...
and holds the record for most wins in the Colonial Cup Steeplechase with eleven. Sheppard is the only trainer to win the American steeplechase Triple Crown, doing it with Flatterer, the only horse to win the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Steeplechase horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Steeplechase horse
The American Champion Steeplechase Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded as part of the Eclipse Award program since its inception in 1971. It is awarded annually to the top horse in steeplechase racing....
four years in a row.
In addition to steeplechase racing, Jonathan Sheppard has met with considerable success in flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
. In both venues, he has had a long working relationship with stable owner, George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
George W. Strawbridge, Jr.
George W. Strawbridge, Jr. is an American educator, historian, investor, sportsman, and philanthropist.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he was the son of Margaret Dorrance and stockbroker George W. Strawbridge, Sr.. He studied at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he...
and in 2008 he conditioned Strawbridge's filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
Forever Together
Forever Together
"Forever Together" is the title of a single released by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was the second single released from his album, High Lonesome. It peaked at #1 on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks and the Canadian RPM country Tracks chart...
to victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for fillies and mares, three years old and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships....
.
In 1990, he was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
.
In 2004, Jonathan Sheppard was elected president of the National Steeplechase Association
National Steeplechase Association
The National Steeplechase Association is the official sanctioning body of American steeplechase horse racing.The National Steeplechase Association was founded on February 15, 1895 by August Belmont, Jr., the first president of The Jockey Club and chairman of the New York State Racing Commission,...
.
In 2008, Sheppard joined fellow Hall of Famee inductee Sidney Watters, Jr. as the only men in American racing to have trained a champion over both jumps and on the flat. As of 2010, Sheppard's horses have won twelve Eclipse Awards:
- Athenian Idol (1973)
- Cafe PrinceCafe PrinceCafe Prince was an American Thoroughbred Champion steeplechase racehorse. A descendant through his dam and his sire of the great runner and sire, Nearco, he was bred by "Donut King" Verne Winchell and purchased as a yearling at the Saratoga Yearling sales by George W. Strawbridge, Jr...
(1977, 1978) - Martie's Anger (1979)
- Flatterer (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
- Jimmy Lorenzo (1988)
- Highland Bud (1989)
- Forever TogetherForever Together (horse)Forever Together is an American Thoroughbred Champion filly racehorse. Bred by the White Fox Farm of Karen and Dewey White , she was purchased and raced by George W. Strawbridge, Jr.'s Augustin Stable....
(2008) - Informed DecisionInformed DecisionInformed Decision is an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. She is sired by Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos out of the His Majesty mare, Palangana. She is trained by Jonathan E. Sheppard and owned by George W. Strawbridge, Jr.'s Augustin Stable.Informed Decision is the first Grade I winner...
(2009)
Leading US steeplechase trainer of all time in victories and earnings =
On Sept 25, 2010 he achieved the milestone of getting his 1,000th steeplechase victory as a trainer. At Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack is an American race track for thoroughbred horse racing in Oceanport, New Jersey. It is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is operated under a five-year lease as a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.Monmouth Park's marquee event...
his trainee Arcadius took the $100,000 Helen Haskell Sampson Stake (NSA-G1) by a length under Brian Crowley. He became the first trainer to send out 1,000 jump winners in the United States. The milestone is considered all the more impressive with the low annual volume of National Steeplechase Association
National Steeplechase Association
The National Steeplechase Association is the official sanctioning body of American steeplechase horse racing.The National Steeplechase Association was founded on February 15, 1895 by August Belmont, Jr., the first president of The Jockey Club and chairman of the New York State Racing Commission,...
sanctioned races. In 2008, for example, there were a total of only 168 jump races held that year in the US.
On October 29, 2011 (with the victory of the runner 'Dugan' at the Aiken Fall Races) Sheppard’s career winnings in National Steeplechase Association races rose by $9,000 (USD) to $20,002,192. The British-born trainer, 70, is the first in the American sport ever to pass the $20-million mark, unadjusted for inflation. His closest competitor, Jack Fisher, has yet to hit the $10,000,000 mark.
External links
- Jonathan Sheppard at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
- October 23, 2008 Bloodhorse.com article titled Sheppard, Strawbridge Together 42 Years
- Brisnet Arcadius gives Sheppard milestone win
- Racing Post Sep. 26, 2010 1,000th winner for US jumps legend Sheppard
- Equibase trainer record: Jonathan E. Sheppard