Hernandez, NYRA's oldest active trainer, retires

Last updated: 12/1/11 2:09 PM

Ramon “Mike” Hernandez enters the winner’s circle with Classic Pack after the 2008 Cormorant
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese)

Trainer Ramon “Mike” Hernandez, the oldest active trainer on The New
York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, is retiring at the age 86
after a 60-year career.

“I will be relaxing and spending time with my three daughters
(Teresa, Catherine and Mary), who all live in New York, so I will be
around,” said Hernandez, who saddled Chester and Mary Broman’s
Skinnydipper, his final starter, to an eighth-place finish in the 2ND
race at Aqueduct on Sunday.

“I also plan to visit family in Mexico. I hope I adjust to being
retired.”

Frank “Pancho” Martin, who celebrates his 86th birthday on Saturday,
now becomes the oldest active trainer on the NYRA circuit.

Hernandez, who took out his trainer’s license in 1951 in Mexico and
sent out his first winner, Flying Queen, at the Hippodromo de las
Americas that year, moved permanently to the United States in 1967 and
managed Clermont Farms in Germantown, New York, for the next eight
years.

In 1976 he opened a public stable and achieved considerable success
over the years with New York-breds, saddling dozens of stakes winners
including Adirondack Holme, Classic Pack, Vandy Sue, Lookin at Her,
Artistic Express and Beautiful America.

“There’s no one that doesn’t like Mike,” said Chester Broman, who said the
four horses he had with Hernandez — Skinnydipper, Mine Over Matter, Hall of
Flame and Clever Spirit — had been returned to his farm in Chestertown, New
York. “He first started training for me 14 years ago when I purchased the farm;
he was set to retire then, but changed his mind. He’s as good a horseman as
any.”

Hernandez’s other horse, Tug of War, winner of a New York-bred allowance on
November 18, will be sent to trainer Heriberto Cedano.

According to Equibase, Hernandez retires with a record of 603-644-706 from
5,418 starts with earnings of $18,820,126. In 2011, Hernandez compiled a record
of 3-7-13 from 64 starters with earnings of $188,815.