Charles E. Kurtsinger

Biography

Known to race fans as “The Flying Dutchman,” Charles Kurtsinger was best known for riding War Admiral to a sweep of the Triple Crown in 1937, six years after he won both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes with another Hall of Famer, Twenty Grand. Kurtsinger also won the 1933 Preakness Stakes with Head Play, giving the rider a total of six wins in the Triple Crown events.

A native of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Kurtsinger was taught how to ride by his father, who was also a jockey, as well as Hall of Fame rider Mack Garner and Roscoe Goose, who won the 1913 Kentucky Derby.

Kurtsinger was aboard Greentree Stable’s Twenty Grand when he beat fellow Hall of Famer Equipoise in the 1930 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in what was then the fastest mile (1:36) ever raced by a 2-year-old. The following year, Kurtsinger and Twenty Grand teamed up to win the Wood Memorial, Dwyer, Lawrence Realization, and Jockey Club Gold Cup to go with the Derby and Belmont.

With Head Play, in addition to the Preakness, Kurtsinger won the Suburban Handicap and the inaugural San Juan Capistrano Handicap in 1935.

Kurtsinger led all North American riders in earnings in 1931 and again in 1937, when he posted career-best totals in wins (120) and earnings ($384,202). After retiring with 721 wins to his credit, Kurtsinger became a trainer. He died in 1946 at the age of 39 from complications of pneumonia.

Achievements

North America's leading rider in earnings — 1931, 1937

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1931 Kentucky Derby — Twenty Grand
Won the 1937 Kentucky Derby — War Admiral
Won the 1933 Preakness Stakes — Head Play
Won the 1937 Preakness Stakes — War Admiral
Won the 1931 Belmont Stakes — Twenty Grand
Won the 1937 Belmont Stakes — War Admiral

Other Highlights

Won the Jockey Club Gold Cup — 1931, 1934
Wom the Chesapeake Stakes — 1931, 1937
Won the Saratoga Handicap — 1931, 1938
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1932, 1937