Henry Forrest

Biography

A native of Covington, Kentucky, trainer Henry Forrest won the first two legs of the Triple Crown in both 1966 and 1968. He was the all-time leader in wins at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland Race Course at the time of his death in 1975.

Forrest was introduced to horses as a teenager. He first assisted his father’s horse rental business before working for Col. E. R. Bradley’s Idle Hour Stock Farm as an exercise rider.

Although he took out his trainer’s license at the age of 18 while working for Rome Respass, Forrest didn’t establish his own stable until around 1937. Forrest enjoyed steady success throughout the years before finally shining on the big stage when Kauai King won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1966. Two years later, Forrest was again in the spotlight when he trained Calumet Farm’s Forward Pass to victories in both the Derby and Preakness. Forward Pass also won the Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, and American Derby, eanring him a share of champion 3-year-old honors with Stage Door Johnny.

Although based in Kentucky, Forrest also had success in the Midwest, South, and East. Other notable victories for Forrest included the Oaklawn Handicap, Rebel Stakes, Washington Park Handicap, Fountain of Youth Stakes, Saranac Stakes, Gravesend Handicap, Thanksgiving Handicap, and Lecomte Handicap.

When he died in 1975, at the age of 67, Forrest was the all-time leading trainer in wins at Churchill Downs (271) and Keeneland (153), where he won seven individual meet training titles. Based on available records, Forrest won 1,837 races and had purse earnings of $6,575,236. He ranked in the top 10 nationally in wins eight times and in earnings twice. He trained a total of 25 stakes winners.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1966 Kentucky Derby — Kauai King
Won the 1968 Kentucky Derby — Forward Pass
Won the 1966 Preakness Stakes — Kauai King
Won the 1968 Preakness Stakes — Forward Pass