H. Eugene Leigh
| Eugene Leigh | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Trainer / owner / breeder |
| Born | 1860 Taylorville, Illinois, United States |
| Died | December 10, 1937 |
| Major racing wins | |
| Michigan Stakes (1893) Clark Handicap (1894) Long Island Handicap (1897) American Classic Race wins: Kentucky Derby (1894) Belmont Stakes (1900) European wins: Prix du Rond-Point (1904, 1922) Prix Yacowlef (1922) Prix des Coteaux (1922) Grand Critérium (1922) Prix de la Forêt (1922) Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (1922) Prix d'Ispahan (1923, 1926) Prix du Gros Chêne (1923) Stewards' Cup (1923) Prix Maurice de Gheest (1933) |
|
| Significant horses | |
| Ben Brush, Chant, Clifford, Epinard, Ildrim | |
Hiram Eugene Leigh (1860 - December 10, 1937) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse trainer/owner and breeder who had a highly successful career in the United States as well as in Europe.
Born in Taylorville, Illinois, he was known by his middle name, Eugene, or as "Gene." In the 1870s, thirteen-year-old Leigh became involved in Quarter Horse racing on bush tracks in his native Illinois. After learning to condition Thoroughbreds for flat racing he set himself up as a trainer in a partnership with jockey Tom Kiley. Leigh was successful enough that in 1884 he was hired as the trainer of a major racing stable in St. Louis, Missouri owned by Col. Robert C. Pate.
By the early 1890s, Eugene Leigh had established himself as an important owner and trainer and in 1894 won the Kentucky Derby with Chant. He acquired property at Yarnallton, Kentucky where he established La Belle Stud farm but sold it in 1897 to Col. Milton Young for $101 an acre then bought it back in 1899 for $24 an acre. The December 4, 1898 issue of the New York Times reported that going into the 1899 racing season, Eugene Leigh had the largest stable in the United States. In 1900, Leigh earned his second win in an American Classic Race, capturing the Belmont Stakes with his colt, Ildrim.
Eugene Leigh had met with his first great success at Monmouth Park and other racetracks in New Jersey, However, legislation passed by conservative politicians in 1894 banned betting on races which resulted in the closure of the State's racetracks. Conservative forces in the State of New York wanted similar legislation and through 1895 Leigh was optimistic about the future of racing. Eventually the growing possibility of a ban on betting, along with personal financial setbacks from heavy gambling, saw Eugene Leigh make the decision to relocate to Europe for the 1901 season.
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