William P. Burch

Biography

Born in South Carolina in 1846, William Preston Burch served as a courier in the Confederate States Army under Gen. Wade Hampton’s command during the Civil War. After Appomattox, he began racing quarter horses at fairs in the South, gradually shifting to thoroughbred racing with his stable based in Washington, D.C.

Burch named his first good horse Wade Hampton and won the 1872 Monmouth Sequel and Saratoga Sequel with him. In the 1880s, he owned and trained a gelding named Burch, winner of stakes in five seasons, and two good fillies, Telie Doe and Biggonet, the latter winner of the 1885 Spinaway and the next year winner of the Withers over top colt Inspector B.

In the 1890s, Burch began training for Francis Hitchcock such horses as Decanter, Mart Gary, and Grey Friar, the latter winner of the 1902 Matron and Grand Union Hotel stakes.

Burch’s son, Preston, and grandson, Elliott, both enjoyed outstanding careers as trainers and were also elected to the Hall of Fame. Burch also played a prominent role in the development of future Hall of Fame trainer Andrew J. Joyner and future Hall of Fame jockey George Odom.

The last good horses Burch trained before his death at age 80 in 1926 was Cary T. Grayson’s My Own, winner of the 1923 Saratoga Cup and Maryland Handicap, and 1924 Saratoga Handicap.

Achievements

Won the Monmouth Sequel Stakes — 1872
Won the Saratoga Sequel Stakes — 1872
Won the Spinaway Stakes — 1885
Won the Withers Stakes — 1886
Won the Matron Stakes — 1902
Won the Grand Union Hotel Stakes — 1902
Won the Saratoga Cup — 1923
Won the Uncas Handicap — 1923
Won the Maryland Handicap — 1923
Won the Saratoga Handicap — 1924