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William J. Hirsch |
| Training Career: | 46 years (1932-1982) |
| Stakes winners: | 56 |
| Champions: | 1 |
Buddy Hirsch was the son of Hall of Fame trainer Max Hirsch and entered racing against his father's wishes. In a career that lasted almost half a century he conditioned 56 stakes winners, including champion Gallant Bloom. Hirsch's first official stakes winner was Gold Basis, winner of the 1933 Latonia Derby. After World War II, Hirsch sent his runners to races all over the country, but made his mark in California. He handled King Ranch's western horses until his father died. Buddy Hirsch then took over as head trainer. Hirsch's best horse was Gallant Bloom, Champion 3-year-old filly of 1969. He also nursed Canonero II back to health after a series of setbacks in his 3-year-old season. Canonero II ran the finest race of his career when he defeated Riva Ridge in the 1972 Stymie. Although he trained horses to race at all distances, Buddy Hirsch preferred distance racing. He felt distance training required more finesse. The best of his distance runners included Intent, winner of the 1 3/4 mile San Juan Capistrano, Rejected, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup, and To Market, winner of the Hawthorne Gold Cup. In 1977 Buddy Hirsch turned the training of King Ranch runners to the next generation, his son Bill. William J. (Buddy) Hirsch was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Swaps and Shoemaker in the San Vincente © 1955 Santa
Anita Photo; ©The Blood-Horse
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