Charlie Whittingham
Encyclopedia
Charles Edward Whittingham (April 13, 1913 - April 20, 1999) was an American
thoroughbred
race horse trainer
who is one of the most acclaimed trainers in U.S. racing history.
Born in Chula Vista, California
, Whittingham began working around race horses at a young age and was eventually taken on as an assistant by Hall of Fame trainer Horatio Luro
. During World War II
, his career was interrupted by service with the United States Marine Corps
. At war's end, he returned as an assistant trainer until 1950 when he set up his own stable to take on the training of horses for various owners. He got his big break when Liz Whitney Tippett
hired him to condition her Llangollen Farm racing stable. In 1953, Whittingham trained his first Champion when Llangollen's Porterhouse
earned U.S. Two-Year-Old colt
honors.
Over his forty-nine years as a head trainer, Whittingham had 252 stakes wins and became the all-time leading trainer at both Hollywood Park Racetrack and Santa Anita Park
. He won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer
in the U.S. in 1971, 1982 and 1989 and U.S. Champion Trainer by earnings
seven times: 1970 to 1973, 1975, 1981, and 1982.
Whittingham trained several champions including American Horse of the Year
honorees Ack Ack
, Ferdinand
and Sunday Silence
. Amongst others, he trained Cougar II
, the 1972 U.S. Champion Turf Horse, Kennedy Road
, the 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year
and for a time, Exceller
. He also trained the champion daughter of Affirmed
, Flawlessly
. His horses were named Champion Female Turf Horse on four occasions. In 1986, at the age of seventy-three, he became the oldest trainer to win the Kentucky Derby
then won the prestigious race again three years later. Both Derby-winning horses went on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic
.
In 1974, Charlie Whittingham was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
. In 1993, he was also inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame in the San Diego Hall of Champions
. He continued to train horses right up to the time of his passing at age eighty-six.
Named in his honor is the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap
, a Grade 1 stakes race held annually at Hollywood Park. There is a bust
of Whittingham and his dog Toby at the paddock at Santa Anita Park
. Del Mar Race Track has the Whittingham Sports Pub with photos and sports memorbilia honoring Charles Whittingham
, and Hollywood Park Race Track has the Whittingham Pub and Deli.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
race horse trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
who is one of the most acclaimed trainers in U.S. racing history.
Born in Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
, Whittingham began working around race horses at a young age and was eventually taken on as an assistant by Hall of Fame trainer Horatio Luro
Horatio Luro
Horatio A. Luro was a thoroughbred horse racing trainer in the United States.Born in Argentina into a wealthy family that had been involved with horses for several generations, a suave young Horatio Luro grew up as something of a playboy and maintained this lifestyle after moving to the United...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, his career was interrupted by service with the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. At war's end, he returned as an assistant trainer until 1950 when he set up his own stable to take on the training of horses for various owners. He got his big break when Liz Whitney Tippett
Liz Whitney Tippett
Mary Elizabeth Whitney Person Tippett was a wealthy American socialite and philanthropist who was a champion horsewoman and for more than fifty years, a prominent owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses.Born in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Elizabeth Dobson and her husband...
hired him to condition her Llangollen Farm racing stable. In 1953, Whittingham trained his first Champion when Llangollen's Porterhouse
Porterhouse (horse)
Porterhouse was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Liz Person and raced under her Llangollen Farm banner, Porterhouse was a son of the Argentine-bred Endeavour who also sired Corn Husker, Prove It and Pretense, three top runners who each won the Santa Anita Handicap. His dam was...
earned U.S. Two-Year-Old colt
Eclipse Award for Outstanding 2-Year-Old Male Horse
The American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971....
honors.
Over his forty-nine years as a head trainer, Whittingham had 252 stakes wins and became the all-time leading trainer at both Hollywood Park Racetrack and Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. He won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer
The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for trainers. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually.Its Canadian counterpart is the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer....
in the U.S. in 1971, 1982 and 1989 and U.S. Champion Trainer by earnings
United States Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by earnings
There is recognition for the United States Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by earnings but no formal award is given to the trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing whose horses earned the most purse money in North American Thoroughbred racing....
seven times: 1970 to 1973, 1975, 1981, and 1982.
Whittingham trained several champions including American Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
honorees Ack Ack
Ack Ack (horse)
Ack Ack was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. He raced with success at age two to four, scoring wins in the important 1969 Withers Stakes and Arlington Classic. In 1971 at age five, Ack Ack blossomed into the year's most dominant horse...
, Ferdinand
Ferdinand (horse)
Ferdinand was a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1986 Kentucky Derby and 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic. He was voted the 1987 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.He entered stud in 1989 and was later sold to a breeding farm in Japan in 1994....
and Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in...
. Amongst others, he trained Cougar II
Cougar II
Cougar II was a Chilean Thoroughbred racehorse who also competed in theUnited States where he was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He was sired by Tale of Two Cities, a son of Tehran, winner of the 1944 St...
, the 1972 U.S. Champion Turf Horse, Kennedy Road
Kennedy Road (horse)
Kennedy Road was a Canadian Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who dominated Canadian racing for three years before going to success in California.-Background:He was bred by Canadian mining magnate Arthur W...
, the 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year
Sovereign Award for Horse of the Year
The Canadian Horse of the Year is a thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually since 1951 by the Jockey Club of Canada. It is the most prestigious honor in Canadian thoroughbred horse racing....
and for a time, Exceller
Exceller
Exceller is widely considered one of the best horses to race in the United States not to win a year-end championship. Despite his exemplary achievements as a racehorse, and his unique accomplishment in being the only horse to ever defeat two Triple Crown winners in the same race , Exceller is now...
. He also trained the champion daughter of Affirmed
Affirmed
Affirmed was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the eleventh and most recent winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
, Flawlessly
Flawlessly (horse)
Flawlessly was an American Thoroughbred race horse bred by Harbor View Farm. A daughter of 1978 Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing champion, Affirmed, and out of La Confidence by Nijinsky II....
. His horses were named Champion Female Turf Horse on four occasions. In 1986, at the age of seventy-three, he became the oldest trainer to win the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
then won the prestigious race again three years later. Both Derby-winning horses went on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
.
In 1974, Charlie Whittingham was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
. In 1993, he was also inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame in the San Diego Hall of Champions
San Diego Hall of Champions
The San Diego Hall of Champions is an American multi-sport museum in San Diego, California. Located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park, the facility recognizes outstanding athletic accomplishments and traditions involving more than forty-two sports...
. He continued to train horses right up to the time of his passing at age eighty-six.
Named in his honor is the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap
Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap
The Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California...
, a Grade 1 stakes race held annually at Hollywood Park. There is a bust
Bust (sculpture)
A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person's head and neck, as well as a variable portion of the chest and shoulders. The piece is normally supported by a plinth. These forms recreate the likeness of an individual...
of Whittingham and his dog Toby at the paddock at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
. Del Mar Race Track has the Whittingham Sports Pub with photos and sports memorbilia honoring Charles Whittingham
Charles Whittingham
Charles Whittingham was an English printer.-Biography:He was born at Caludon or Calledon, Warwickshire, the son of a farmer, and was apprenticed to a Coventry printer and bookseller...
, and Hollywood Park Race Track has the Whittingham Pub and Deli.
Selected other race wins
- Futurity Stakes (1953)
- Knickerbocker HandicapKnickerbocker HandicapThe Knickerbocker Handicap is an American Grade III race on turf for Thoroughbred horses run each year at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The Knickerbocker is open to three-year-olds and up, and set at a distance of one mile and one furlong...
(1954) - San Carlos HandicapSan Carlos HandicapThe San Carlos Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at during the third week of February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
(1955, 1956, 1960, 1971, 1988, 1993) - Arlington HandicapArlington HandicapThe Arlington Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1929 at Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Open to 3-Year-Olds & Up, it is currently a Grade III stakes run in July at a distance of 1¼ miles on turf...
(1956, 1983, 1987) - Californian StakesCalifornian StakesThe Californian Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II event is open to horses age three and up willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
(1956, 1957, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990) - San Felipe HandicapSan Felipe StakesThe San Felipe Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The San Felipe is a Grade II event open to three-year-old horses. Normally held in mid-March, it is raced at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on dirt and currently...
(1956, 1963, 1966, 1989) - Santa Barbara HandicapSanta Barbara HandicapThe Santa Barbara Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade II event open to fillies and mares, age four and older, it is contested of turf over a distance of one and a quarter miles.Inaugurated in 1935, through...
(1956, 1964, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1987) - Woodward StakesWoodward StakesThe Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
(1956) - San Gabriel HandicapSan Gabriel HandicapThe San Gabriel Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California at the close of each year. The Grade II race is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf and offers a purse of $150,000.First run in 1935, it...
(1957, 1966, 1971, 1977, 1984, 1985, 1997) - San Juan Capistrano Handicap (1957, 1959, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
- Santa Maria HandicapSanta Maria HandicapThe Santa Maria Handicap is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early February at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
(1958, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1978) - San Bernardino HandicapTokyo City CupThe Tokyo City Cup Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at the end of March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A Grade III event raced on Pro-Ride synthetic dirt at a distance of 1½ miles , it is open to horses aged four and older.Run as the San Bernardino Handicap...
(1960, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991) - Del Mar HandicapDel Mar HandicapThe Del Mar Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year during the third week of August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California...
(1961, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1987, 1989, 1990) - American DerbyAmerican DerbyThe American Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race in the United States run annually at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The inaugural American Derby was held at the city's old Washington Park race track and raced there until 1905 when the facility was closed and the track demolished....
(1962) - San Vicente HandicapSan Vicente StakesThe San Vicente Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park. A Grade III event, the race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and carries a purse of $150,000....
(1962, 1966, 1967, 1976) - Sam Marcos Handicap (1963, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1985)
- Santa Catalina StakesRobert B. Lewis StakesThe Robert B. Lewis Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Raced over a distance of 11/16 miles on dirt, the Grade II race is open to three-year-old horses...
(1964, 1970, 1986, 1988) - Top Flight HandicapTop Flight HandicapThe Top Flight Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York. The Grade II event is run in late November and is open to fillies and mares, age three and older...
(1964) - Hollywood DerbyHollywood DerbyThe Hollywood Derby is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late November/early December at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to horses, age three willing to race a mile and a quarter on turf. It currently offers a purse of ...
(1967, 1969, 1986, 1989) - Charles H. Strub StakesStrub StakesThe Strub Stakes is an American race for thoroughbred horses run at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California each year.Currently a Grade II stakes race with a purse of $300,000, it is open to horses, age four, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the synthetic surface of Santa Anita and offers...
(1967, 1975, 1989) - John C. Mabee HandicapJohn C. Mabee HandicapThe John C. Mabee Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race contested in early August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It is run on the turf for fillies and mares, age three or older, at a distance of one and one-eighth miles. Downgraded to a Grade II stakes in 2010, the...
(1968, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994) - San Luis Obispo HandicapSan Luis Obispo HandicapThe San Luis Obispo Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race is open to horses age four and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on the turf...
(1968, 1971, 1972 (2), 1977, 1983, 1987, 1990) - Del Mar OaksDel Mar OaksThe Del Mar Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. Open to three-year-old fillies, it is contested at a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the turf...
(1970, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1991) - San Luis Rey HandicapSan Luis Rey HandicapThe San Luis Rey Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Held during the third week of March, the Grade II event is open to horses of either gender, age four and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on the turf.Prior to 1955,...
(1970, 1975, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989) - Hollywood Invitational Turf HandicapCharles Whittingham Memorial HandicapThe Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California...
(1970, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987) - Frank E. Kilroe Mile HandicapFrank E. Kilroe Mile HandicapThe Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to horses four years of age and older, it is raced over a distance of one mile . The Grade I race currently offers a purse of $300,000.Inaugurated in 1960 as...
(1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1987) - Santa Anita OaksSanta Anita OaksSanta Anita Oaks is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually in mid March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to three-year-old fillies willing to race 8.5 furlongs on the dirt, it currently offers a purse of $300,000.Inaugurated in 1935 as a race for two-year-olds,...
(1971, 1973, 1974, 1986) - Norfolk Stakes (1972, 1977, 1980)
- Chula Vista HandicapClement L. Hirsch HandicapThe Clement L. Hirsch Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run each year at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to filles and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on Polytrack synthetic dirt...
(1973, 1980, 1987, 1989) - Beverly Hills HandicapBeverly Hills HandicapThe Beverly Hills Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles on turf, is open to fillies and mares three years of age and older....
(1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993) - Sunset HandicapSunset HandicapThe Sunset Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the third week of July at Hollywood Park Racetrack in inglewood, California. The Grade III event is open to horses, age three and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on turf....
(1973, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992) - Fantasy StakesFantasy StakesThe Fantasy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A Grade II event, it is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt.-Records:Speed record:...
(1974, 1984, 1988) - Santa Ana HandicapSanta Ana HandicapThe Santa Ana Handicap is a Thoroughbred horse race run at annually Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California during the third week of March. The race is open to fillies and mares, age four and up, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the turf....
(1974, 1981, 1985, 1987) - Hollywood Turf Cup StakesHollywood Turf Cup StakesThe Hollywood Turf Cup is an American stakes race for thoroughbred horses at Hollywood Park Racetrack. A Grade I event, it is open to horses, age three and up, and run at a distance of one and one-half miles. The Hollywood Turf Cup offers a purse of $250,000....
(1981, 1989, 1991) - Yellow Ribbon StakesYellow Ribbon StakesThe Yellow Ribbon Stakes is a Grade I race for thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three-years-old and upwards. It is raced during the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park in late September / early October. It is a major prep race for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and is...
(1981, 1982, 1985, 1994) - Goodwood Handicap (1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991)
- John Henry HandicapJohn Henry HandicapThe John Henry Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California from 1986 through 1994. A Grade II event open to horses age three and older, it was contest on turf over a distance of one and one eighth miles .Inaugurated in 1986, it...
(1986, 1989, 1990) - Providencia StakesProvidencia StakesThe Providencia Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies run annually during the first week of April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California...
(1986, 1988) - Longacres Mile HandicapLongacres Mile HandicapThe Longacres Mile Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in August at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington. The race is open to horses three years of age and older and is run on dirt over a distance of one mile...
(1987) - Kentucky OaksKentucky OaksThe Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
(1988) - Super DerbySuper DerbyThe Super Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in September at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana.Inaugurated in 1980, the Super Derby is open to 3-year-olds and the distance is 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it's the richest race held at Louisiana Downs...
(1989)