Sheppard honored for 1,000th steeplechase win

A day after Jonathan Sheppard sent out Fugitive Angel (Alphabet Soup) to a

milestone win for owner George Strawbridge's Augustin Stable in Keeneland's

Valley View S. (G3), the Hall of Fame trainer received an honor himself.

Sheppard, who recently saddled his 1,000th steeplechase winner, was

recognized Saturday at the Far Hills Races in New Jersey. Sheppard, who has won

more races over fences than any other trainer in the sport's history, received a plaque honoring his accomplishment.

Presenting the award was Guy J. Torsilieri, co-chair of the Far Hills

Races and president of the National Steeplechase Association (NSA).

Sheppard, 69, has been the NSA's leading trainer by races won a record 23

times, and he has led the earnings list a record 24 times. He is the sport's

all-time leading trainer by earnings with more than $19-million since he saddled

his first runner in 1966. The British-born horseman handled two Eclipse Award

winners last year, steeplechase champion Mixed Up (Carnivalay) and champion

female sprinter Informed Decision (Monarchos).

This year, Sheppard leads the steeplechase trainer standings by wide margins.

He reached his milestone victory when Arcadius (Giant's Causeway) won the

$100,000 Helen Haskell Sampson (NSA-G1) at Monmouth Park on September 25. It was

his 21st win of the year, following a near-sweep at Saratoga, where he won four

of five steeplechase races and finished second in three races.

With Fugitive Angel's Keeneland stakes victory, Augustin recorded an eighth

graded stakes win here and received a gold tray as part of the racecourse's

unique gold trophy program. Only 15 other owners in Keeneland history have

earned a gold tray.