Fred Taral

Biography

The regular rider of Hall of Famer Domino, Fred “The Flying Dutchman” Taral was described by owner Foxhall Keene as “a tremendously powerful man who many times actually seemed to lift Domino over the line a winner.” Undefeated in nine starts under Taral in 1893 as a 2-year-old, Domino that year won the Futurity Stakes under 130 pounds, the Matron under 129, and set an earnings record that stood for 27 years.

Born in Illinois in 1867, Taral began riding in 1883 and won his first stakes race three years later aboard Faster at Washington Park. He won the Preakness Stakes in 1894 with Assignee, the Preakness and Belmont in 1895 with Belmar, and the Kentucky Derby in 1899 with Manuel.

Taral swept New York’s three major handicap races in 1894, winning the Brooklyn on Dr. Rice and the Metropolitan and Suburban on Ramapo. Taral also won the Metropolitan on Pessara (1892); the Brooklyn on Diabolo (1893) and Sir Walter (1896); the Travers on Hall of Famer Henry of Navarre (1894) and Rensselaer (1897); the Withers on Dr. Rice (1893) and Domino (1894); and the Champagne on Sir Excess (1893) and Salvation (1894).

Overall, Taral rode 838 winners in North America and 599 more in Europe. He later became a successful trainer in Germany before returning to America. He was training in the United States when he died in 1925.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1889 Kentucky Derby — Manuel
Won the 1894 Preakness Stakes — Assignee
Won the 1895 Preakness Stakes — Belmar
Won the 1895 Belmont Stakes — Belmar

Other Highlights

Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1893, 1894, 1896
Won the Metropolitan Handicap — 1892, 1894
Won the Champagne Stakes — 1893, 1894
Won the Matron Stakes — 1893, 1894
Won the Withers Stakes — 1893, 1894
Won the Travers Stakes — 1894, 1897
Won the Great Eastern Handicap — 1896, 1897