Claude R. "Shug" McGaughey III

As trainer for the Phipps family and other select owners for the majority of his career, Kentucky native Shug McGaughey has trained five members of the Hall of Fame — Easy Goer, Personal Ensign, Heavenly Prize, Inside Information, and Lure — as well as champions Honor Code, Queena, Rhythm, Smuggler, Storm Flag Flying, and Vanlandingham.

Inducted

2004

Born

1951, Lexington, Kentucky

Career

1978-

Wins

2,373

Earnings

$177,449,504

Racing Record

20.9

Win %

Biography

As trainer for the Phipps family and other select owners for the majority of his career, Kentucky native Shug McGaughey has trained five members of the Hall of Fame — Easy Goer, Personal Ensign, Heavenly Prize, Inside Information, and Lure — as well as champions Honor Code, Queena, Rhythm, Smuggler, Storm Flag Flying, and Vanlandingham.

The Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer in 1988, McGaughey won the 1989 Belmont Stakes with Easy Goer and the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Orb. A winner of nine Breeders’ Cup races, including three editions of the Distaff, McGaughey has also won four editions of the Travers, Alabama, Beldame, and Spinster; three runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Champagne, Whitney, and Ashland; and two renewals of the Coaching Club American Oaks, Wood Memorial, and Acorn.

McGaughey's Breeders' Cup winners include Personal Ensign (1988 Distaff), Dancing Spree (1989 Sprint), Rhythm (1989 Juvenile), Lure (1992 and 1993 Mile), My Flag (1995 Juvenile Fillies), Inside Information (1995 Distaff), Storm Flag Flying (2002 Juvenile Fillies), and Pleasant Home (2005 Distaff).

Through 2024, McGaughey has won 2,373 races with purse earnings of $177,449,504 (No. 13 all time).

Achievements

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer — 1988

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1989 Belmont Stakes — Easy Goer
Won the 2013 Kentucky Derby — Orb

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 1988 Distaff — Personal Ensign
Won the 1989 Sprint — Dancing Spree
Won the 1989 Juvenile — Rhythm
Won the 1992 Mile — Lure
Won the 1993 Mile — Lure
Won the 1995 Juvenile Fillies — My Flag
Won the 1995 Distaff — Inside Information
Won the 2002 Juvenile Fillies — Storm Flag Flying
Won the 2005 Distaff — Pleasant Home

Other Highlights

Won the Travers Stakes — 1989, 1990, 1998, 2019
Won the Alabama Stakes — 1986, 1991, 1994, 2006
Won the Jockey Club Gold Cup — 1985, 1989, 1993
Won the Whitney Handicap — 1988, 1989, 2015