Frank “Pancho” Martin was a legendary figure in the Sport of Kings, a horse trainer who defied expectations and carved out a remarkable career. With over 3200 wins across various racing circuits, Martin was more than just a claiming trainer, a label that often obscured his true talent. He possessed a unique ability to identify potential in horses, whether through claiming them from rivals or purchasing them privately, and transforming them into formidable stakes performers. His legacy is marked by significant victories, including the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1984 with Outstandingly, and the training of Sham, a gifted colt who famously competed against the incomparable Secretariat. This is the story of a man who arrived in the United States with virtually nothing and built a training empire through sheer hard work, keen insight, and an unwavering dedication to his craft.
A Humble Beginning and a Remarkable Career
Hailing from Cuba, Frank Martin arrived in the United States with a mere five dollars to his name. He dedicated himself to the demanding lifestyle of a horse trainer, working tirelessly seven days a week. This relentless commitment laid the foundation for one of the most impressive training resumes in racing history, amassing over $47 million in purse earnings for his trainees. Despite his considerable success, Martin often operated under a cloud of misunderstanding. His direct, no-nonsense approach to training and life, coupled with his unfiltered communication style, sometimes led to misinterpretations. However, those who knew him best understood that Frank Martin lived and trained strictly on his own terms. His son, Greg, recounts a telling anecdote from Pancho’s early days in New York: despite being cautioned against claiming horses from the renowned trainer Hirsch Jacobs, Martin’s very first claim was indeed from Jacobs, and the horse went on to win, a testament to Martin’s sharp eye.
Demonstrations of Martin’s Training Acumen
Martin’s prowess as a trainer is best illustrated through the success stories of the horses under his care. These examples highlight his ability to improve horses, whether claimed or purchased, and guide them to significant victories:
Piece of Heaven: Claimed in December 1977 for $30,000, Piece of Heaven flourished in Martin’s stable. In his first five starts for Martin, the horse achieved three wins and two second-place finishes, including two stakes victories, earning $87,353 by March 1978. His notable stakes wins included The Bay Shore and The Swift.
Big Shot II: Claimed at Santa Anita in January 1971 for $25,000, Big Shot II experienced a resurgence with Martin. Under his guidance, the horse secured multiple stakes wins and accumulated $204,150 in earnings by January 1972. His impressive stakes victories included The San Gabriel, The San Marcos H., the Manhattan H., and the Brentwood Stakes.
Turn and Count: Acquired for $25,000 at the 1974 Saratoga yearling sale, Turn and Count was not a claimer but a purchase that Martin revitalized. Despite facing numerous injuries, Martin nursed the colt back to health, leading to a string of victories, including The Roamer, The Excelsior H., and The Grey Lag. The horse compiled a record of 9 wins, 7 placings in 19 starts, earning $246,971.
Ten Below: When Bwamazon Farm attempted to lower Ten Below’s claiming price, Frank Martin took notice. He claimed the horse for $75,000 after a dominant five-length victory. Martin, known for seeking owners willing to take calculated risks, entered Ten Below in races with a claiming tag. Ten Below repaid the investment handsomely, winning the 1982 Lawrence Realization Stakes in a stakes-record time of 2:26 2/5, earning $51,030. He also triumphed in the Eddie Read H. and the Turf Paradise H.
Manassa Mauler: Claimed by Martin for owner Emil Dolce as a two-year-old in late 1958 for $12,500, Manassa Mauler went on to win the prestigious Wood Memorial and amassed career earnings of $350,000.
Beyond the Track: A Story of Integrity and Generosity
While the Secretariat film portrayed Frank Martin in a way that he, his son, and close friends found inaccurate, the reality of his character extended far beyond the racetrack persona. Martin was known to play the claiming game with intensity but always with fairness. His generosity, often unnoticed, was a hallmark of his character. He was not one to seek recognition for his kindness, nor did he expect anything in return.
A profound story illustrating Martin’s character comes from his good friend, Ray DeStefano, who began his racetrack career under Martin’s mentorship. DeStefano recounts the tale of Petrograd, a beloved stakes-winning sprinter who raced until the age of 10. Initially owned and trained by Tommy and his wife Walsh, Petrograd became their cherished “pet.” The Walshes began running Petrograd in claiming races, deliberately keeping his price low to avoid him being claimed, adhering to an unspoken racetrack etiquette of not claiming someone’s sole or beloved horse.
When Petrograd repeatedly defeated Martin’s horses, Pancho eventually claimed him at Aqueduct in the late 1970s, much to the distress of the Walshs. Mrs. Walsh, heartbroken and furious, confronted Martin, crying and berating him for claiming their “pet.” In his characteristic directness, Martin’s response, delivered loudly and without reservation, was that if they didn’t want the horse claimed, they shouldn’t have entered him in a claiming race. Martin continued to race Petrograd successfully for the Sommer’s. However, recognizing when the aging horse had reached the end of his racing career at age 10, Martin contacted Mrs. Walsh and gifted Petrograd back to her, free of charge, so she could retire him on her farm as a pleasure horse. This act of profound generosity and understanding encapsulates the true spirit of Pancho Martin. This story, shared by Ray DeStefano, highlights a facet of Martin’s personality rarely seen by the public, underscoring his deep-seated integrity and compassion.
For further insights into the world of horse racing and the stories of legendary figures, consider exploring resources such as Chuck Sturzenegger’s Facebook page dedicated to Frank Martin, which offers a wealth of information and images. You can also read Ray DeStefano’s account in “All 1’s, The Only Real Story of what happened to this great filly,” which sheds light on the tragic story of Ruffian.
