Jonathan E. Sheppard

Jonathan E. Sheppard (December 2, 1940 – August 27, 2023) was an English Hall of Fame trainer in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He holds the record for the most wins in American steeplechase racing history with 1,242 victories, and led with the most U.S. steeplechase wins per year a record 26 times between 1972 and his retirement in 2020. He became the first trainer to send out 1,000 jump winners in the United States. This is considered an impressive milestone, considering the low annual volume of National Steeplechase Association sanctioned races.

On October 29, 2011, with the victory of the runner 'Dugan' at the Aiken Fall Races, Sheppard's career winnings in National Steeplechase Association races rose by US$9,000 to US$20,002,192. The British-born trainer was the first in the American sport ever to pass the US$20-million mark, unadjusted for inflation. His closest competitor, Jack Fisher, had yet to hit the US$10,000,000 mark at that time.

Flat racing Sheppard achieved his 3,000th win as a flat trainer on Monday September 17, 2012, when Fugitive Angel won the seventh race at Delaware Park in Stanton, Delaware. Sheppard became the 28th trainer in North American racing history to win 3,000 races. The 5-year-old horse was bred and owned by longtime client George Strawbridge Jr. and his Augustin Stables.

Saratoga Race Course Sheppard won at least one race in every annual Saratoga Race Course meet since 1969 through and including 2015. This 47 year streak is a record unmatched by any other trainer. His 1st 2015 Race Meet victory was scored by Lune de Caro (TX) in a steeplechase race on August 18, 2015. Jonathan remarked to the Times Union, “I said if I didn’t win one (at Saratoga) this year, I wouldn’t come back”.

Sheppard was the leading Saratoga trainer in 1984 and 1985.

Recognition and awards In 1990, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

In 2004, Sheppard was elected president of the National Steeplechase Association. In 2008, Sheppard joined fellow Hall of Fame inductee Sidney Watters, Jr. as the only men in American racing to have trained a champion over both jumps and on the flat. As of 2010, Sheppard's horses had won twelve Eclipse Awards: Athenian Idol (1973) Cafe Prince (1977, 1978) Martie's Anger (1979) Flatterer (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986) Jimmy Lorenzo (1988) Highland Bud (1989) Forever Together (2008) Informed Decision (2009) Divine Fortune (2013)

Death Sheppard died due to complications from late-stage lyme disease at his home in Hollywood, Florida, on August 27, 2023, at the age of 82.