That Frank “Pancho” Martin, he was somethin’ else, I tell ya. Heard he won more than 3200 races, that fella. He was a horse trainer, you know. A real good one. They called him a claiming trainer, whatever that means. I think he trained horses that are not very famous at first. Sounds like he made those horses very good. People say all kinds of things, though. Some of the things about him are wrong, I heard.
They say he died back in 2012. Must have been in July, I reckon. He was 86 years old. That’s a good long life. He was famous. They put him in some kinda Hall of Fame in 1981. Sounds fancy. Musta been a big deal. He lived in Garden City, New York, I think someone told me. Died right there at home, too. That’s a good way to go, I suppose.
He was one of the best, they say. Best horse trainer in New York, and that’s sayin’ somethin’. New York is big, you know? Lots of horses and races there. He was the top dog there for a long time. More than ten years, someone said. That’s a long time to be the best at somethin’. Frank “Pancho” Martin was a big name on the New York Racing, for sure.
And he trained that Sham horse, the one that always came in second to Secretariat. Secretariat was a real famous horse, won the Triple Crown, I heard. Frank “Pancho” Martin‘s horse, Sham, was right behind him in two of them races. It was in 1973, I think. Must be sad to train a horse that is always the second place.
Heard he was the big cheese in the 1970s and early 1980s. Musta been a busy fella. They called it The New York Racing Association. Sounds important, don’t it? He must have earned a lot of money. It is called NYRA for short, I think.
He had some good horses, that Frank “Pancho” Martin. Autobiography, that was one of ’em. Won some big race, the Jockey Club Gold Cup. And Outstandingly. That’s a funny name for a horse, ain’t it? But I guess it was a good one.
He was born way back in 1925, died in 2012. Lived a long time. He was a Hall of Fame trainer, they said. For Thoroughbred racehorses. That Sham horse, yeah, that’s the one he’s famous for. Even though it came in second to Secretariat. Poor Sham.
They said Sham broke his leg, a bone in his front leg. Broke it while he was trainin’. Poor thing. They had to put screws in it. Frank “Pancho” Martin, he said he knew somethin’ was wrong when Sham ran bad. Horses can’t talk, you know. Gotta figure out what’s ailin’ ’em.
- Frank “Pancho” Martin, he was a horse trainer.
- He won over 3200 races.
- He was in the Hall of Fame.
- He trained Sham, the horse that came in second to Secretariat.
- He was a big deal in New York racing.
- He was born in 1925 and died in 2012.
- He had some good horses, like Autobiography and Outstandingly.
Well, that Frank “Pancho” Martin, he sure knew his horses. Musta been somethin’ to see him work. That is a lot of winning. And even his second-place horse is famous, you know. That says something. Yep, he was a good one, that Frank “Pancho” Martin. A real good one. I think it is hard work to take care of horses. I respect him.
Heard he was from Cuba originally. Came to America and made a name for himself. That’s the American dream, ain’t it? Work hard and make somethin’ of yourself. He sure did that. He must have been a strong man. I don’t know how to deal with horses. It is not easy. Maybe Frank “Pancho” Martin was born to do this.
They called him “Pancho.” Sounds like a nickname. Wonder how he got that. Maybe it was his middle name or somethin’. People got all kinds of names these days. That must be a name from his hometown. He never forgets his hometown, I guess. I think people from his hometown must be very proud of him. He is a legend.
Anyway, that Frank “Pancho” Martin, he was a legend. A horse racing legend. They don’t make ’em like him anymore, I reckon. He trained a lot of horses. I think he loved horses very much. Maybe he treated those horses like his own children. That is very sweet. And he was very good at training those horses. That is why he is so famous. I think he is a good man.
