Octogenarian Trainer Hernandez Retiring
Trainer Ramon “Mike” Hernandez, the oldest active trainer on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, is retiring at the age 86 after a 60-year career.
“I will be relaxing and spending time with my three daughters [Teresa, Catherine and Mary], who all live in New York, so I will be around,” said Hernandez, who saddled Chester and Mary Broman’s Skinnydipper, his final starter, to an eighth-place finish in the second race at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday. “I also plan to visit family in Mexico. I hope I adjust to being retired.”
Frank “Pancho” Martin, who celebrates his 86th birthday on Saturday, now becomes the oldest active trainer on the NYRA circuit.
Hernandez, who took out his trainer’s license in 1951 in Mexico and sent out his first winner, Flying Queen, at the Hippodromo de las Americas that year, moved permanently to the United States in 1967 and managed Clermont Farms in Germantown, N.Y. for the next eight years. In 1976 he opened a public stable and achieved considerable success over the years with New York-breds, saddling dozens of stakes winners including Adirondack Holme, Classic Pack, Vandy Sue, Lookin At Her, Artistic Express, and Beautiful America.
“There’s no one that doesn’t like Mike,” said Chester Broman, who said the four horses he had with Hernandez – Skinnydipper, Mine Over Matter, Hall of Flame and Clever Spirit – had been returned to his farm in Chestertown, N.Y. “He first started training for me 14 years ago when I purchased the farm; he was set to retire then, but changed his mind. He’s as good a horseman as any.”
Hernandez’ other horse, Tug of War, winner of a New York-bred allowance on November 18, will be sent to trainer Heriberto Cedano.
According to Equibase, Hernandez retires with a record of 603-644-706 from 5,418 starts with earnings of $18,820,126. In 2011, Hernandez compiled a record of 3-7-13 from 64 starters with earnings of $188,815.