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James Fitzsimmons |
| Training Career: | 70 years (1894-1963) |
| Stakes winners: | 49 |
| Champions: | 8 |
James "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons is one of the most distinguished trainers the
turf has ever seen. His 70 year career brought him some of the best horses of
the century, including two Triple Crown winners and two of the world's leading
money-winners.
It seems no accident that Sunny Jim was born in Brooklyn on land where the
Sheepshead Bay track would be built. At age 15 he became a jockey, riding
primarily at bush tracks and sometimes combining riding and training. He
saddled and rode his first stakes winner, Bartender, in the 1890's.
In 1923 Fitzsimmons took over training for William Woodward's Belair Stable.
For Belair he prepped two Triple Crown winners: Gallant Fox and his son
Omaha. He also conditioned Horses of the Year Granville and
Nashua.
James Fitzsimmons with Bold Ruler
NMR collection
Later in the decade Fitzsimmons began training for the Phipps family and
remained with them for the rest of his career. Among others, he trained Horse
of the Year Bold Ruler for Mrs. H.C. Phipps.
Champions Trained by Fitzsimmons
|
Gallant Fox, Triple Crown winner of 1930 |
Omaha, Triple Crown winner of 1935
|
| Granville, Horse of the Year in 1936 |
Vagrancy, Champion 3-year-old and handicap mare of 1942 |
| High Voltage, Champion 2-year-old filly of 1954 |
Nashua, Horse of the Year in 1955 |
| Misty Morn, Champion 3-year-old and handicap mare of
1955 |
Bold Ruler, Horse of the Year in 1957
|
The six champions trained by Fitzsimmons include five current Hall of Fame
members: Gallant Fox, Omaha, Nashua, Granville and Bold Ruler.
Principal Races Won
| 6 Belmonts | 4 Preaknesses |
| 3 Kentucky Derbys | 5 Suburbans |
| 8 Wood Memorials | 10 Saratoga Cups |
| 7 Jockey Club Gold Cups | 8 Alabamas |
| 8 Lawrence Realizations | 9 Dwyer Stakes |
Fitzsimmons' training expertise brought him repeat victories in the most
important stakes races of his day, including 3 Kentucky Derbys, 4 Preaknesses,
and 6 Belmonts.
Awards and Achievements
5-Time leading money-winning trainer, 1930, 32, 36, 39, 55
Trainer of 2 Triple Crown winners: Gallant Fox and Omaha
Trainer of 2 world record earners: Gallant Fox and Nashua
Inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1958
James Fitzsimmons was the nation's leading trainer for five seasons. He was
inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1958.
Swaps and Shoemaker in the San Vincente © 1955 Santa
Anita Photo; Fitzsimmons © Keeneland-Morgan
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