Thomas Hitchcock, Sr.
The captain of America’s first international polo team, Thomas Hitchcock is referred to by racing historians as the "Father of American steeplechasing."
1973
Nov. 12, 1860, Old Westbury, New York
Sept. 30, 1941, Old Westbury, New York
1895-1941
Biography
The captain of America’s first international polo team, Thomas Hitchcock is referred to by racing historians as the "Father of American steeplechasing."
The most successful developer of steeplechasers in the first half of the 20th century, Hitchcock was born in 1860, the 11th in his family line to carry that name. An 1884 graduate of Oxford, he was one of America’s first great polo players, leading the United States’ team in the 1886 Westbury Cup match against England. Three times, he was ranked at 10 goals.
Turning his attention to jumpers in 1895, his all-green silks were carried by Hall of Fame member Good and Plenty — winner of the 1906 Grand National with 170 pounds — as well as Foxhunter, Hylas, and other standouts prior to World War I. Among his few flat runners, the best was Salvidere, champion 2-year-old of 1906, when he won the Saratoga Special and Adirondack Stakes.
A member of The Jockey Club and one of the founders of Belmont Park, Hitchcock was also a key figure in the development of Aiken, South Carolina, as a training center. At Aiken, Hitchcock conditioned horses he purchased cheaply as weanlings in England and made into top steeplechasers — champions Annibal and Cottesmore, as well as Acrobat, Actor, Amagansett, Bangle, Canandaigua, Chenango, Cree, Creek, Devil Kin, Escapade, Oarsman, St. Vernon, and Wyandach — horses he resold when proven.
Hitchcock also developed amateur riders Pete Bostwick and Rigan McKinney, both eventual Hall of Famers. Hitchcock died in 1941; in his estate dispersal was future Hall of Fame member Elkridge. Hitchcock's son, Thomas Hitchcock, Jr., became arguably America’s greatest polo player of all time.
Achievements
Won the American Grand National Steeplechase — 1906, 1938
Won the Whitney Memorial Steeplechase — 1905, 1906
Won the Westbury Steeplechase — 1904
Won the New York Steeplechase Handicap — 1905
Won the Adirondack Stakes — 1906
Won the Montauk Stakes — 1906
Won the Saratoga Special Stakes — 1906
Won the Annual Champion Stakes — 1907
Won the Brighton Cup — 1907
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