Ronald L. McAnally

Biography

Kentucky native Ron McAnally always knew he wanted to train horses, so after serving in the Air Force and spending two years at the University of Cincinnati, he started his real schooling under an uncle, Reggie Cornell, who later became the trainer of Silky Sullivan. McAnally earned his first victory as a trainer in 1958 at Hollywood Park.

Two years later, McAnally won his first stakes race with Bombay, and he won the Champagne Stakes in 1961 with Donut King. He later trained Hall of Fame members John Henry, Bayakoa, and Paseana. John Henry earned seven Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984. The great gelding came to McAnally late in his 4-year-old year and proceeded to win 27 of 45 starts, including 18 stakes in Southern California. John Henry was retired at age 9 in 1984 as the sport’s leading money winner with earnings of $6,597,947.

Bayakoa, meanwhile, won two Eclipse Awards and two editions and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 1989 and 1990, while Paseana earned two Eclipse Awards and won the 1992 Distaff.

McAnally earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1981, 1991, and 1992. He also trained champions Northern Spur and Tight Spot. McAnally has won 10 training titles on the Southern California circuit. His major wins include three editions of both the Arlington Million (1981, 1984, 1991) and Santa Anita Handicap (1981, 1982, 1996) and two runnings of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (1981, 1991) and Hollywood Derby (1991, 2003). 

Through 2024, McAnally has won 2,595 races with purse earnings of $126,382,741.

Achievements

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer — 1981, 19991, 1992

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 1989 Distaff — Bayakoa
Won the 1990 Distaff — Bayakoa
Won the 1992 Distaff — Paseana
Won the 1995 Turf — Northern Spur

Trainer Profile | Ronald L. McAnally | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information