Native Diver (CA)

Biography

The first California-bred to earn $1 million and the winner of 34 stakes races in his seven-year career, Native Diver became one of the most popular and successful geldings in American racing history.

Bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Louis K. Shapiro, Native Diver was sired by Imbros out of the Devil Diver mare Fleet Diver. Native Diver won his first three starts as a 2-year-old for Hall of Fame trainer Buster Millerick by a combined 23¾ lengths, including his first career stakes start, the El Camino Handicap at Tanforan. The following year, Native Diver set the first of his six track records in the Hillsdale Handicap at Bay Meadows, covering six furlongs in 1:08⅖.

During his career, Native Diver won six races carrying 130 pounds or more, including three track records under that weight. For three consecutive years, 1965 through 1967, Native Diver won the Hollywood Gold Cup, running it faster each time.

Other notable wins for Native Diver included multiple editions of the San Francisco Mile, San Diego Handicap, Inglewood Handicap, Palos Verdes Handicap, San Carlos Handicap, Albany Handicap, and Los Angeles Handicap.

At the age of 8 in 1967, Native Dancer won six stakes races, including the Del Mar Handicap, in which he equaled a track record. However, Native Diver became ill following the race and died of intestinal colic. He was buried at Hollywood Park near the grandstand.

Overall, Native Diver posted a record of 37-7-12 from 81 starts and earned $1,026,500.

When Hollywood Park was closed, Native Diver’s remains were exhumed and moved to Del Mar Racetrack.