Winbert F. "Bert" Mulholland

In 1899, at the age of 16, Kentucky native Bert Mulholland went to the racetrack to work with an uncle’s string of horses. Young Mulholland got his start in the sport by laboring as a groom, exercise rider, and jockey.

Bert Mulholland visits Jaipur in the barn (Jim Raftery Turfotos/Museum Collection)
Inducted

1967

Born

Aug. 27, 1883, Lexington, Kentucky

Died

July 12, 1968, Germantown, Pennsylvania

Career

1926-1967

Biography

In 1899, at the age of 16, Kentucky native Bert Mulholland went to the racetrack to work with an uncle’s string of horses. Young Mulholland got his start in the sport by laboring as a groom, exercise rider, and jockey.

With the 1911 New York racing blackout, Mulholland took a job as a movie projectionist for about a decade before returning to racing. Employed by Hall of Fame trainer A. J. Joyner, who then was conditioning runners for George D. Widener, Mulholland first assisted with the breaking of yearlings at Widener’s Erdenheim Farm near Philadelphia. He later was promoted to stable foreman and then assistant trainer.

In 1933, Joyner retired and Mulholland was named head trainer. Although Mulholland developed champions Jaipur, Battlefield, Evening Out, Platter, Stefanita, and High Fleet, he always considered Hall of Fame member Eight Thirty and Lucky Draw the best horses he ever trained.

Mulholland set a record with five victories in the Travers Stakes, winning the Midsummer Derby with Eight Thirty (1939), Lights Up (1950), Battlefield (1951), Jaipur (1962), and Crewman (1963). He also won the Belmont Futurity, Hopeful Stakes, Jamaica Handicap, and Withers Stakes three times each and the Suburban Handicap twice. Mulholland also won the 1962 Belmont Stakes with Jaipur. Overall, he trained 57 stakes winners.  

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1962 Belmont Stakes — Jaipur

Other Highlights

Won the Travers Stakes — 1939, 1950, 1951, 1962, 1963
Won the Jamaica Handicap — 1936, 1941, 1942
Won the Withers Stakes — 1944, 1951, 1962
Won the Hopeful Stakes — 1950, 1951, 1966
Won the Belmont Futurity — 1950, 1957, 1966
Won the Saratoga Handicap — 1939, 1946
Won the Suburban Handicap — 1940, 1941

Media

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