Carl Hanford, trainer of five-time Horse of the Year (1960-64) Kelso,
died peacefully with family and friends by his side at his Delaware home
early Sunday morning. He was 95.
The native of Fairbury, Neb., started his career in racing as a jockey
and rode the winner of the first race ever run at Suffolk Downs on July
10, 1935. After his riding career, Mr. Hanford turned his attention to
training, an endeavor briefly interrupted by World War II as Mr. Hanford
served five years in the Army Remount Corps.
But he was best known for conditioning Bohemia Stable's Kelso. Mr.
Hanford guided Kelso to 38 of his 39 victories and all 31 of his stakes
wins, including five consecutive renewals of the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
In 1966, Kelso retired as racing's all-time leading money earner with a
bankroll of $1,977,896.
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