John M. Gaver, Sr.

Biography

Maryland native John Gaver graduated from Princeton University then worked as a prep school language teacher before eventually embarking on a career in thoroughbred racing. In 1929, James G. Rowe, Jr., a friend and successful trainer, invited Gaver to join the team managing the Brookdale Farm and racing stable owned by Harry Payne Whitney.

After Whitney died in 1930, Rowe began training for Helen Hay Whitney's Greentree Stable and asked Gaver to come with him. In 1939, Gaver was appointed head trainer for Greentree, a position he held for the next 38 years. During his time with Greentree, Gaver conditioned 73 stakes-winning horses and won the Belmont Stakes three times and both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness once each. Gaver won two legs of the Triple Crown twice. He conditioned Shut Out to victories in the 1942 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, while Capot won the 1949 Preakness and Belmont. He also won the 1968 Belmont with Stage Door Johnny.

Gaver’s four champions were Devil Diver (1944 Champion Handicap Male), Capot (1949 Horse of the Year), Stage Door Johnny (1968 Champion 3-Year-Old Male), and Tom Fool (1953 Horse of the Year). A champion as a juvenile and undefeated as a 4-year-old, Tom Fool won the New York Handicap Triple Crown in 1953, winning the Metropolitan under 130 pounds, the Suburban under 128, and the Brooklyn with 136.

Along with his five victories in Triple Crown races, notable victories for Gaver included six editions of the Metropolitan Handicap, the Lawrence Realization Stakes (three times), Empire City Handicap (three times), Grand Union Hotel Stakes (three times), Hopeful Stakes (twice), Sanford Stakes (four times), Arlington Classic (twice), Whitney Handicap (five times), Travers Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes, Brooklyn Handicap (five times), Carter Handicap (four times), Wood Memorial (twice), Suburban Handicap (four times), Champagne Stakes (three times), Pimlico Special (twice), Massachusetts Handicap, Dwyer Stakes (four times), Saranac Stakes (three times), and Man o’ War.

Gaver led all North American trainers in earnings in 1942 and 1951. In 1977, he suffered a stroke, which led to his son, John Gaver, Jr., taking over at Greentree. Gaver, Sr. died in 1982 at the age of 81.

Achievements

North America's leading trainer in earnings — 1941, 1951

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1942 Kentucky Derby — Shut Out
Won the 1949 Preakness Stakes — Capot
Won the 1942 Belmont Stakes — Shut Out
Won the 1949 Belmont Stakes — Capot
Won the 1968 Belmont Stakes — Stage Door Johnny 

Other Highlights

Won the Metropolitan Handicap — 1940, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1953,  1963
Won the Whitney Handicap — 1942, 1944, 1951, 1953, 1958
Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1943, 1944, 1953, 1958, 1963
Won the Sanford Stakes — 1941, 1951, 1956, 1963
Won the Carter Handicap — 1943, 1950, 1952, 1953
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1945, 1952, 1953, 1954
Won the Dwyer Stakes — 1956, 1963, 1968, 1973
Won the Lawrence Realization Stakes — 1939, 1946, 1956
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1940, 1948, 1972
Won the Empire City Handicap — 1941, 1944, 1952
Won the Grand Union Hotel Stakes — 1941, 1951, 1956
Won the Breeders’ Futurity — 1941, 1950, 1952
Won the Saranac Stakes — 1957, 1963, 1968
Won the Long Island Handicap — 1962, 1966, 1969