Frank E. Childs
A third-generation trainer, Frank Childs was born in 1887 in Oregon. His father, Lewis A. Childs, had been a successful breeder, trainer, and driver of standardbreds, while his grandfather had come to Oregon in a covered wagon in 1859 and was also a harness horseman. A great uncle, Jimmy Welch, is credited with bringing the first standardbreds to California in 1859.
1968
Dec. 27, 1887, Cove. Oregon
Jan. 10, 1973, Duarte, California
1932-1972
Biography
A third-generation trainer, Frank Childs was born in 1887 in Oregon. His father, Lewis A. Childs, had been a successful breeder, trainer, and driver of standardbreds, while his grandfather had come to Oregon in a covered wagon in 1859 and was also a harness horseman. A great uncle, Jimmy Welch, is credited with bringing the first standardbreds to California in 1859.
Childs began his association with horses near San Francisco around 1905 while working for his father. A few years later, he broke yearlings at Exposition Park near Los Angeles, then followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Marvin, one of the top harness horsemen of the early 20th century. By 1911, Childs was already acclaimed as a trainer and driver, starting at Pleasanton in California, while in 1913 he trained and drove the champion trotting mare Lita J. on the Grand Circuit.
After serving in the Army in World War I, Childs went into the construction business before he began conditioning thoroughbreds in 1932. His first stakes winner, Watersplash in 1936, was a claimer. Childs had plenty of success with claimers, including Canina, the 1944 Kentucky Oaks winner, a $5,000 claim. Other races Childs won with claiming horses included the Remsen, San Antonio Handicap, and Del Mar Derby.
Childs’ most famous success story was Tomy Lee. Although he was never fully sound, Tomy Lee was a leading juvenile in 1958 and went on to win the Blue Grass Stakes and Kentucky Derby the following year.
Childs won the Hollywood Oaks with Flying Rhythm, the California Oaks with Miss Ribot, the Del Mar Oaks with Royal Rasher, and other California stakes with Fleet Surprise, Admiral Drake, and Fortunate Isle.
Achievements
Triple Crown Highlights
Won the 1959 Kentucky Derby — Tomy Lee
Other Highlights
Won the Del Mar Futurity — 1958, 1961
Won the Remsen Stakes — 1943
Won the Kentucky Oaks — 1944
Won the Hollywood Oaks — 1948
Won the Del Mar Derby — 1949
Won the San Antonio Handicap — 1949
Won the Del Mar Oaks — 1957
Won the Blue Grass Stakes — 1959
Won the Beverly Hills Handicap — 1969
Won the Los Angeles Handicap — 1971
Media
