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Woodford Stephens |
| Training Career: | 63 years (1936-1998) |
| Champions: | 11 |
Stephens left high school to work on the backstretch for trainer John Ward. Stephens ran a public stable in the 1940's and 50's until Harry Guggenheim convinced him to take over Cain Hoy Stable in the late 50's. With Stephens's help, Cain Hoy unseated Calumet as the leading stable of the period. His best horse and first champion during this period was Bald Eagle, winner of the 1959 Suburban and two consecutive Washington, D.C. Internationals. Stephens remained with Cain Hoy until 1966 when he reopened his public stable.
Stephens leading Belmont winner Danzig Connection, ©Bob Coglianese
Woody Stephens is best known for winning a record five consecutive Belmont Stakes from 1982-86 with Conquistador Cielo, Caveat, Swale, Creme Fraiche, and Danzig Connection. He has also won two Kentucky Derbys with Cannonade (1974) and Swale (1984) and the Preakness with Blue Man (1952). Champions trained by Woody Stevens: | Bald Eagle, Champion Handicap Male, 1960 | Never Bend, Champion 2-year-old Male, 1962 | | Bold Bidder, Champion Handicap Male, 1966 | Sensational, Champion 2-year-old Filly, 1976 | | Smart Angle, Champion 2-year-old Filly, 1979 | Heavenly Cause, Champion 2-year-old Filly, 1980 | | De La Rose, Champion Female Turf Horse, 1981 | Conquistador Cielo, Horse of the Year, 1982 | | Devil's Bag, Champion 2-year-old Colt, 1983 | Swale, Champion 3-year-old Male, 1984 | | Forty Niner, Champion 2-year-old Colt, 1987 | | Stephens' eleven champions have earned honors in nearly every category of racing, particularly the 2-year-old championship. Woody Stephens received an Eclipse Award in 1983 and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1976.
Swaps and Shoemaker in the San Vincente © 1955 Santa
Anita Photo; ©Barbara D. Livingston
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