Legendary English horse trainer Jonathan Sheppard dies aged 82 after Hall of Fame career that saw him earn £70million
LEGENDARY English horse trainer Jonathan Sheppard – a man whose records ‘will stand forever’ – has died aged 82.
Born in Hertfordshire, Sheppard became a Hall of Fame trainer in the US and dominated the chasing sphere across the pond.
But he was not without success in his native country and had a runner-up in the 1987 Champion Hurdle with Flatterer.
That horse became the only one in history to win the American steeplechase Triple Crown and contributed to Sheppard’s astonishing 1,242 wins over jumps and £19.6million winnings.
He was leading trainer 26 times over jumps and won the money title 29 times, both records – but also had success on the Flat.
Forever Together won the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Informed Decision gave him another victory in the same race a year later.
Sheppard made it into the racing Hall of Fame in 1990 and only stopped training for good in 2021.
In total he amassed 3,426 wins including Flat victories and a staggering £70m in winnings.
He could turn his training talents to anything and had winners over jumps, on turf and on dirt.
Born in Ashwell in December 1940, Sheppard moved to America in 1961 after a stint as a jockey didn’t really work out here.
He tried it as a rider in the States but found little success there either, returning to England.
But he fancied another crack at the States and made the journey back in 1965 where he soon struck up a partnership with multi-millionaire George Strawbridge, the grandson of the Campbell Soup founder.
The pair worked together for decades and Strawbridge owned their Breeders’ Cup heroine Forever Together.
Sheppard died at his home in Florida after complications from Lyme Disease.
He leaves behind Cathy, his wife of 33 years, and their three children.
Sheppard’s death comes just days after the passing of another racing titan in Lady Chryss O’Reilly.
The influential owner-breeder and wife of Lions rugby legend Sir Anthony passed away aged 73.