Hall of Fame Trainer Pancho Martin Dies
Trainer Frank "Pancho" Martin, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1981, died Wednesday night, July 18. He was 86.
During a career that spanned more than 60 years, Martin saddled 3,240 winners of more than $47.5 million, according to Equibase statistics. Although not as active in recent years, he saddled 77 starters in 2012, finishing second five times and third twice.
Martin started in racing in his native Cuba. On his introduction to the sport, he said, "I lived two blocks from Oriental Park when I was growing up and the only things to do were to go to work on the track or play baseball. I was a lousy ballplayer."
After training in Cuba and later in New England and in Florida, Martin arrived in New York in 1951. He led that circuit in victories 11 times, including 10 straight years from 1973-1982. He topped the nation in purse earnings with $2,408,419 in 1974.
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Probably his best known horse was Sham, chief rival of Secretariat. RIP, Pancho. - tgs
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