Frank "Pancho" Martin, Sr.
Frank “Pancho” Martin’s career began in his native Cuba, where he worked his way up from hotwalker to trainer by age 16. By the time he turned 21, Martin was racing Cuban horses in Ohio. After building his reputation in New England and Florida, Martin came to New York, where he was the New York Racing Association's leading trainer 10 years in a row (1973 through 1982).
1981
Dec. 3, 1925, Havana, Cuba
July 13, 3012, Garden City, New York
1947- 2012
3,241
$47,592,089
Racing Record
17.07
Win %
Biography
Frank “Pancho” Martin’s career began in his native Cuba, where he worked his way up from hotwalker to trainer by age 16. By the time he turned 21, Martin was racing Cuban horses in Ohio. After building his reputation in New England and Florida, Martin came to New York, where he was the New York Racing Association's leading trainer 10 years in a row (1973 through 1982).
Two of Martin’s best horses were champions Autobiography, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Outstandingly, winner of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1984. His favorite was Sham, Santa Anita Derby winner and runner-up in Secretariat’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
Martin’s first major stakes winner was Manassa Mauler, winner of the Wood Memorial in 1959. Martin also won the Wood in 1974 with Rube the Great. Among his other notable horses are 1971 Brooklyn Handicap winner Never Bow, 1972 Suburban Handicap winner Hitchcock, and 1998 Whirlaway winner Watch the Bird.
Martin was the nation’s leading money winner in 1974. Overall, he won 3,241 career races from 18,985 starts with purse earnings that totaled $47,592,089.
Achievements
North America's leading trainer in earnings — 1974
Breeders' Cup Highlights
Won the 1984 Juvenile Fillies — Outstandingly
Other Highlights
Won the Display Handicap — 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978
Won the Wood Memorial — 1959, 1974
Won the Discovery Handicap — 1971, 1974
Won the Toboggan Handicap — 1977, 1998
Media
