Marion Van Berg

Biography

A livestock dealer and farmer from Columbus, Nebraska, Marion Van Berg made his official debut as an owner in 1937 and went on to become one of the biggest winners in racing history.

Competing primarily at Midwestern tracks, the nearly 2,000 horses that raced in Van Berg’s colors won 4,691 races and earned $13,936,965. Van Berg led all owners in number of victories in 1952, 1955, 1956, and from 1960 through 1970. His horses also made him the leading owner in money won in 1965, 1968, 1969, and 1970.

C. A. Tanner initially trained his horses, but in 1945 Van Berg became his own trainer and continued until the mid-1960s, when he retired from that position and deferred to his son, Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, and his longtime assistant R. L. Irwin.

A trainer who believed firmly in not racing horses above their class, Van Berg saddled stakes winners Rose Bed, Knights Reward, Estacion, Rose’s Gem, Spring Broker, and Grand Stand, and developed many others. As trainer of record, Van Berg won 1,475 races from 1945 through 1966.

Achievements

North America's leading owner in wins — 1952, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
North America's leading owner in earnings — 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970