Walter Bindner Racing Stable, thoroughbred racing, Louisville, Kentucky

How I got started

Being a fairly good athlete in school it seemed only natural that I follow the only sport where I could successfully compete. Countless times the parish priest met me at baseball, basketball, or football practice and tried to convince me to come to the racetrack. He finally succeeded when I graduated from high school by arranging a job for me with Frank Clelland. Frank and his brother Odie were famous for the riders they produced, including the McCarron brothers. Other trainers I worked for included Steve Dimauro, W.E. Adams, James Morgan, Jack Van Berg, and Forest Kaelin.

Paying Dues
Like many other riders in those days, I started out learning to walk horses and get comfortable around them long before I was allowed to ride or exercise a horse. We spent countless hours around the barn performing menial tasks in order to learn about horses, and hopefully convince the trainers that we were conscientious enough for them to entrust their horses in our hands. After all, this was their livelihood, so if you made a mistake and ruined one of their horses they were greatly affected.
Thoroughbred Times 1/12/02

Riding Races

When I felt I knew enough to ride races, I did that for 7 years. While I was riding I continued my education with horses, fully knowing that someday because of my weight, I was going to have to give up being a jockey.

I feel privileged to have galloped some of the very best horses to run, including two Champions - Dearly Precious, who was undefeated at age two, and Dark Mirage, winner of the Kentucky Oaks and filly triple crown. Please look at a few of my win photos from Fair Grounds, Latonia, and Cahokia Downs in the 1960's - they may bring back some memories for long time racing fans.

Over 30 Years Training
I have been training now for over 30 years, more than 25 of those years for Mr. Mason Rudd. Other long time clients include Mr. Walt Freeman (president, Kentucky-Indiana Lumber Company), Mr. Don McClinton, and Mr. Steve Miles. I like to build personal relationships with my clients and instill the trust that I feel is essential to operate successfully in this business.
Our other wonderful clients include Stone Hinge Stables, Emmy Lynch, Mrs. S.K. Johnston, Jack Smith, III, Hargus S. Sexton , and Ken Hepperman.
Since 1973, I have trained 27 stakes horses, winning 9 graded stakes, mostly with horses I purchased for less than $50,000. By training a small stable, I can spend a lot of personal time with my horses and their owners. One of my principal owners, Mr. Jack Smith, III, has been very successful in managing investments in racehorses and racing partnerships, and I've enjoyed introducing our sport to many new members of Jack Smith Racing Partners. If you're interested in owning part of a racehorse in a partnership, please call Jack at (859) 268-4168.

Walter with jockey Rafael Bejarano after Colonial Colony's win in the G1 Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs, 2004. Associated Press photo

Over 30 Years Training

Stakes Horses

My first G1 win came with Colonial Colony in the $750,000 Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs in 2004. Other recent stakes winners include Majestic Thief and Shiloh Bound, both won stakes in 2004 at Fair Grounds.
Other stakes horses that I have trained are Magesterial Cheer - multiple Stakes wins include the Sanford Duncan S. at Dueling Grounds, First and Only - multiple Stakes wins include the Sea O Erin H. at Arlington, Rare Reason - multiple Stakes wins include the Firecracker Breeders' Cup H. at Churchill Downs, Country Chase - multiple Stakes wins include the Dahlia S. at Ellis Park, Snake Eyes - multiple Stakes wins include the Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup H. at Fair Grounds. Other Stakes horses are Swear By Dixie - winner of the Heartland Derby at Prairie Meadows, Carry Out - winner of the Presidents S. at Turfway Park, Sidcup - winner of the Prairie Bayou S. at Turfway Park, also Abby's Choice, Sweet Granny, and Royal Potion.

Sidcup owned by Mrs. S.K. Johnston, 2006 Prairie Bayou S. at Turfway Park - Pat Lang photo

Family

My team includes my wife Peggy, who is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Law, and my daughters Sarah and Katie. All are accomplished riders and athletes. Peggy and Sarah are members of the nationally renowned Covered Bridge Pony Club.

Walter served a crowd, including his wife Peggy and daughter Sarah, at the 1999 UTTA picnic	Walter & the stable pony at Churchill, 1989
Walter & owner Mason Rudd have been together in the Winner's Circle many times in the last 25 years.	Walter saddling a horse at Churchill Downs, 2003

Training Statistics For Walter M. Bindner, Jr.
Starts Wins % Wins Place % Place Show % Show Earnings

All Starts
1976-April 17, 2007

4146

609

15%

583

14%

537

13%

$12,208,626

STAKES

201

29

14%

25

12%

37

18%

$2,642,301

BLACKTYPE
WINS

DATE BLACKTYPE RACE NAME VALUE HORSE NAME ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 061216 Prairie Bayou Stakes (TP) $50,000 Sidcup 040612 Stephen Foster H. -G1 (CD) $750,000 Colonial Colony 040224 Mardi Gras H. (FG) $50,000 Majestic Thief 040110 Black Gold H. (FG) $60,000 Shiloh Bound 980627 Heartland Derby (PRM) $200,000 Swear by Dixie 970208 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup H. (FG) $105,000 Snake Eyes 970104 Colonel E. R. Bradley H. (FG) $40,000 Snake Eyes 960630 Firecracker Breeders' Cup H. -G3 (CD) $100,000 Rare Reason 950909 Sanford Duncan S. (DUE) $100,000 Rare Reason 950806 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup H. (PEN) $65,000 Rare Reason 941022 Hawthorne Budweiser Breeders' Cup (HAW)$50,000 Rare Reason 940918 Dueling Grounds Derby (DUE) $100,000 Rare Reason 940704 Firecracker H. (CD) $100,000 First and Only 940529 Sea O Erin H. -G3 (AP) $100,000 First and Only 940427 Fort Harrod S. -G3 (KEE) $75,000 First and Only 930926 Sanford Duncan S. (DUE) $100,000 Magesterial Cheer 930828 Newbury H. -LR (AP) $75,000 Magesterial Cheer 920828 My Juliet H. (LRL) $41,775 Country Chase 920822 Alumni S. (RD) $25,000 Magesterial Cheer 920711 Dahlia S. (ELP) $40,000 Country Chase 920215 Presidents S. (TP) $50,000 Carry Out 910707 Wilma C. Kennedy S. (ELP) $25,000 Country Chase 880827 Alumni H. (RD) $30,000 Bank Fast 820828 H.B.P.A. H. (ELP) $15,000 White Hope 810712 Cincinnati H. (RD) $20,000 Sweet Granny 810606 Losantiville H. (RD) $20,000 Sweet Granny 800712 River Queen H. (RD) $20,000 Abby's Choice 800511 Mill Creek H. (RD) $20,000 Royal Potion 800504 Myrtlewood H. (RD) $20,000 Abby's Choice

Training Statistics For Walter M. Bindner, Jr.
	Starts	Wins	% Wins	Place	% Place	Show	% Show	Earnings
All Starts 1976-April 17, 2007	4146	609	15%	583	14%	537	13%	$12,208,626
STAKES	201	29	14%	25	12%	37	18%	$2,642,301
BLACKTYPE WINS	DATE BLACKTYPE RACE NAME VALUE HORSE NAME ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 061216 Prairie Bayou Stakes (TP) $50,000 Sidcup 040612 Stephen Foster H. -G1 (CD) $750,000 Colonial Colony 040224 Mardi Gras H. (FG) $50,000 Majestic Thief 040110 Black Gold H. (FG) $60,000 Shiloh Bound 980627 Heartland Derby (PRM) $200,000 Swear by Dixie 970208 Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup H. (FG) $105,000 Snake Eyes 970104 Colonel E. R. Bradley H. (FG) $40,000 Snake Eyes 960630 Firecracker Breeders' Cup H. -G3 (CD) $100,000 Rare Reason 950909 Sanford Duncan S. (DUE) $100,000 Rare Reason 950806 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup H. (PEN) $65,000 Rare Reason 941022 Hawthorne Budweiser Breeders' Cup (HAW)$50,000 Rare Reason 940918 Dueling Grounds Derby (DUE) $100,000 Rare Reason 940704 Firecracker H. (CD) $100,000 First and Only 940529 Sea O Erin H. -G3 (AP) $100,000 First and Only 940427 Fort Harrod S. -G3 (KEE) $75,000 First and Only 930926 Sanford Duncan S. (DUE) $100,000 Magesterial Cheer 930828 Newbury H. -LR (AP) $75,000 Magesterial Cheer 920828 My Juliet H. (LRL) $41,775 Country Chase 920822 Alumni S. (RD) $25,000 Magesterial Cheer 920711 Dahlia S. (ELP) $40,000 Country Chase 920215 Presidents S. (TP) $50,000 Carry Out 910707 Wilma C. Kennedy S. (ELP) $25,000 Country Chase 880827 Alumni H. (RD) $30,000 Bank Fast 820828 H.B.P.A. H. (ELP) $15,000 White Hope 810712 Cincinnati H. (RD) $20,000 Sweet Granny 810606 Losantiville H. (RD) $20,000 Sweet Granny 800712 River Queen H. (RD) $20,000 Abby's Choice 800511 Mill Creek H. (RD) $20,000 Royal Potion 800504 Myrtlewood H. (RD) $20,000 Abby's Choice