COMMENTARY
SEPTEMBER 27, 2009
The Good Sheppard
by John Mucciolo
When asked to reel off the top trainer or trainers in the United States, the
common answers include the likes of Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, John Sadler,
Steve Asmussen, Richard Mandella et al, and deservedly so, but one name that tends to
get overlooked is the genius known as Jonathan Sheppard. Born just outside of
Newmarket in England, the 68-year-old conditioner is the son of a British racing
official and got the racing bug himself, coming to the United States in his 20s
to learn his craft. And learn it he did!
He saddled his first winner in 1966 and hasn’t stopped since. In 1973, the
Brit led the nation in money won by a steeplechase trainer, and he did so for a
startling 18 years in succession, leading his division for every year through
1990. A truly remarkable feat! His mounts have banked more than $11 million in
steeplechase events, more than twice the number of his nearest foe. It was in
1990 that Sheppard was deservedly enshrined into Thoroughbred racing’s
Hall of Fame.
After dominating the steeplechase ranks, Sheppard figured to try his hand at
flat racing, and the quick study picked up right where he left off. In 1985, he
conditioned the legendary Storm Cat to a top freshman campaign that
included a Grade 1 win and a runner-up finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
at Aqueduct. A subsequent injury the following year forced the retirement of the
promising, well-bred juvenile, and it was Sheppard’s unquestionable genius that
helped pave the way for Overbrook Farm owner W.T. Young to make the greatest
move in his storied racing career — standing Storm Cat at stud at his
Lexington, Kentucky, farm rather than selling him.
“Back then, Mr. Young sold his horses rather than breed them,” Sheppard said.
“No one could have envisioned how great a sire Storm Cat would turn out to be,
but my wife and I thought he had great potential at stud and we urged Mr. Young
to keep him.”
Another example of how the expert horseman has gotten the best out of one of
his animals is the rapid ascension of champion Forever Together (Belong to Me).
As many know, the classy gray was not always the easiest of fillies to work
with, but Sheppard worked his magic once again. The quirky filly had issues with
not sweating, so Sheppard started feeding her Guinness Beer because he said it
helps to promote perspiration — an added bonus is that she likes the taste and
therefore never leaves an oat of her feed. Brilliant! The high-maintenance miss
was also a handful in her training — it was reported that she actually would
stop in her tracks while galloping — so Sheppard made an adjustment and
transferred her to the green. The turf star has arguably been the top performer
in her division for the past two seasons.
After Sheppard took over the training of Canadian Grade 1 victor Cloudy’s
Knight (Lord Avie) and brought him back from a one-year layoff to easily win the
Kentucky Cup Turf S. (G3) on September 19, jockey Rosemary Homeister explained
how the nine-year-old gelding accomplished the task: “(Sheppard) is the king of
the turf.”
One of only two conditioners to train a champion over jumps and on the flat,
Sheppard has been on a huge roll over the past two years and holds a strong hand
heading toward the 26th edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred
Championships at Santa Anita in early November. Multiple Grade 1 queen Informed
Decision (Monarchos) is the best one-turn synthetic female in training not named Ventura
(Chester House) and will be among the favorites in the Breeders’ Cup Filly &
Mare Sprint (G1). Forever Together has come up short on a few occasions in 2009,
but she’s a model of consistency and excellence and her presence will almost
definitely be felt as she looks to repeat in the Filly &
Mare Turf (G1).
Just As Well (A.P. Indy) was vaulted from second to first in the Northern
Dancer S. (Can-G1) on Sunday and is peaking at age five. Runner-up in the
Arlington Million (G1) two starts back, Just As Well might be a cut
below some of the best turf stayers from abroad, but he rates as one of the best in
the United States and could still make a bid at the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)
following the 1 1/2-mile Canadian International (Can-G1) on October 17. Sheppard
could have three top threats leading into the Breeders’
Cup, quite a feat.
The Good Sheppard is a living legend who has reinvented himself, and he
should be given the respect he deserves. There is simply no one better!