Henry McDaniel

Son of Col. David McDaniel, America’s leading owner and trainer from 1870 through 1874, New Jersey native Henry McDaniel saddled his first winner, Forrest, two days before his 18^th birthday. More than 60 years later, at the age of 80, McDaniel won with the final horse he sent to the post, Nassau.

Inducted

1956

Born

Sept. 10, 1867, Secaucus, New Jersey

Died

Jan. 24, 1948, Coral Gables, Florida

Career

1884-1947

Biography

Son of Col. David McDaniel, America’s leading owner and trainer from 1870 through 1874, New Jersey native Henry McDaniel saddled his first winner, Forrest, two days before his 18^th birthday. More than 60 years later, at the age of 80, McDaniel won with the final horse he sent to the post, Nassau.

Known as “Uncle Henry,” McDaniel won his first race at the Fair Grounds in St. Louis on Sept. 8, 1885. Sixty-two years later, he was still training and sending out winners. McDaniel won the final race of his career on Nov. 1, 1947 at Jamaica.

In between, McDaniel was known for his work with Hall of Famers Exterminator, Reigh Count and Sun Beau, as well as champion Sun Briar.

McDaniel won the 1918 Kentucky Derby with Exterminator, who was dismissed in the odds at 30-1. One of the most popular thoroughbreds in history, “Old Bones,” as Exterminator was affectionately known, won 50 races in his career, 19 of them while being trained by McDaniel.

Many of the top owners in the sport sought out the services of McDaniel, including Willis Sharpe Kilmer, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin, Commander J. K. L. Ross, and Joseph E. Widener. For Widener, McDaniel conditioned 1933 Belmont Stakes winner Hurryoff.