Allen Jerkens obtained his coach’s license as quickly as he turned 21, however he solely waited that lengthy as a result of his father forbade him to get one anymore. He had strong success virtually from the beginning, successful his first stakes race in 1955 on a horse named Struggle Command, owned by Jerkens for $8,000. Seven years later, he agreed to turn out to be a non-public coach at Jack Dreyfuss Jr.’s Hobo Farm. Oboe Farm did not at all times carry essentially the most trendy bloodlines, but it surely did present quantity for the Jerkens. And Jerkens actually had a knack for bringing out the very best in horses.
Throughout Obaugh Farm’s flourishing years, Jerkens turned referred to as the “Big Killer,” a nickname he did not a lot thoughts. Maybe that is as a result of the nickname would not adequately seize a exceptional profession that lasted greater than 65 years.
Emma’s Encore gained the G1 Priceless Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in 2012 and is a member of Corridor of Fame horses Sky Magnificence (1994 successful filly), Beau Purple, Onion, Show Out, Delicate Prince, Satan His Dew, Elegant Mirage, Kelly Kip, Duck Dance, Virginia Rapids, Wagon Restrict and plenty of extra.
However do not get me improper. Jerkens’ cost over time defeated the few opponents who appeared invincible. In 1962-63, he despatched Beau Purple to defeat the formidable Kelso thrice: the 1962 Suburban Handicap, the 1962 Man O’ Struggle, and the 1963 Widener Handicap. In 1963, Pocozaba took over the requirements of three-time champion Cicada. And in 1967, Jerkens-bred Good-looking Boy defeated Buckpasser within the Brooklyn Handicap.
All the above was only a warm-up for 1973, when Jerkens’ barn conquered the mighty Secretariat not as soon as, however twice. Onion shocked the world within the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga by defeating Huge Purple within the second race after posting an unparalleled rating of 31 lengths within the Belmont Stakes. (In 1978, Jerkens got here near upsetting one other fledgling Triple Crown winner when Affirmed wanted Saratoga’s full straight to nook Delicate Prince by a half-length within the Jim Dandy Stakes.) And within the Woodward Handicap in late 1973, it was Show Out’s flip to defeat Secretariat, thought of by many to be the best horse of all time. With these victories nonetheless recent in voters’ reminiscences, Jerkens was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 1975. On the time, at age 45, he was the youngest Flat coach ever to be inducted into the Corridor of Fame.
Though he could have been a terrific killer, Jerkens at all times most popular his “different” nickname, “The Chief.” And that deal with was an ideal match, since Jerkens at all times appeared like a man who was in command of issues, although he wasn’t talkative. Legendary are Belmont’s backstretch contact soccer video games within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties, when Jerkens quarterbacked each groups.
He was a kind of uncommon individuals who by no means cared about impressing anybody, but at all times got here throughout as the best man within the room. In 2001, on the Nationwide Turf Writers Affiliation Awards Banquet, Jerkens obtained the Mr. Fitz Award for embodying the spirit of horse racing. On the ceremony, which is known for its prolonged acceptance speeches, Jerkens took to the rostrum and delivered the next speech: The total textual content is reproduced right here.
“thanks very a lot.”
The assembled Shiba reporters shortly stood up as one and gave the quiet recipient the loudest applause of the night time. As anticipated, Chief.
attention-grabbing info
- His father was an Austrian cavalry captain.
- Initially, he needed to be a jockey.
- On July 4, 1950, he rode his first successful horse, Populous at Aqueduct.
- In 1975, at age 45, he was inducted into the Horse Racing Corridor of Fame because the youngest flat horse coach. (This document was later damaged by Invoice Mott in 1998 by three months.)
- In 1973, he gained the Eclipse Award as an excellent coach.
- He was New York’s high coach 4 instances between 1957 and 1969 (1957, 1962, 1966, and 1969), successful his fifth New York coach’s title 29 years later in 1998.
- They’d two sons in coaching, Stephen Jerkens and Jimmy Jerkens. Jimmy completed what his father was unable to perform: successful a Breeders’ Cup race. Jimmy completed this trick twice, as soon as with Artie Schiller within the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Mile and as soon as with Corinthian within the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Filth Mile.
- Grade 1 King’s Bishop was renamed in Jerkens’ honor after his demise in 2015. It’s now the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.
