William I. Mott

Bill Mott’s career began in his home state of South Dakota, where he owned and trained horses with other members of his family. One of Mott's earliest victories came at age 16, when his horse, Kosmic Tour, won the South Dakota Futurity at Park Jefferson.

Inducted

1998

Born

July 29, 1953, Mobridge, South Dakota

Career

1973-

Wins

5,377

Earnings

$340,481,741

Racing Record

19.32

Win %

Biography

Bill Mott’s career began in his home state of South Dakota, where he owned and trained horses with other members of his family. One of Mott's earliest victories came at age 16, when his horse, Kosmic Tour, won the South Dakota Futurity at Park Jefferson.

By the early 1970s, Mott was working with Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg while also holding his own head trainer’s license. In 1978, Mott opened his own public stable.

A four-time Eclipse Award winner — 1995, 1996, 2011, 2023 — Mott trained Hall of Fame member Cigar through a streak of 16 consecutive victories, including the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996. Cigar won a total of 15 stakes and was voted Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996. He was retired with record earnings of $9,999,815. Mott also trained Hall of Fame member Royal Delta, winner of three Eclipse Awards. Other champions trained by Mott include Ajina, Channel Maker, Cody's Wish, Elite Power, Escena, Paradise Creek, and Theatrical.

In 2010, Mott won his first Triple Crown race when Drosselmeyer won the Belmont Stakes. In 2019, he won the Kentucky Derby with Country House. Mott has won 15 Breeders’ Cup races, including five editions of the Distaff, and the Classic twice.

Mott has won 10 training titles at Belmont and nine each at Saratoga, Churchill Downs, and Gulfstream.

Through 2023, Mott has won 5,377 races (No. 8 all time) with purse earnings of $340,481,741 (No. 4 all time).

Achievements

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer — 1995, 1996, 2011, 2023

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 2019 Kentucky Derby — Country House
Won the 2010 Belmont Stakes — Drosselmeyer

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the 1987 Turf — Theatrical
Won the 1992 Turf — Fraise
Won the 1995 Classic — Cigar
Won the 1997 Distaff — Ajina
Won the 1998 Distaff — Escena
Won the 2010 Ladies' Classic — Unrivaled Belle
Woon the 2011 Ladies' Classic — Royal Delta
Won the 2011 Classic — Drosselmeyer
Won the 2012 ladies' Classic — Royal Delta
Won the 2016 Mile — Tourist
Won the 2022 Dirt Mile — Cody's Wish
Won the 2022 Sprint — Elite Power
Won the 2023 Juvenile Fillies — Just F Y I
Won the 2023 Dirt Mile — Cody's Wish
Won the 2023 Sprint — Elite Power