Jacob Pincus

Biography

History was made by Jacob Pincus, the trainer of the first American-bred horse to win the Epsom Derby. A former jockey, Pincus accomplished the feat when he sent Iroquois to win England’s most prestigious race in 1881.

Born in Baltimore in 1838, Pincus rode his first race in New Orleans in 1852, and was a jockey at various Southern racetracks for several years before difficulty maintaining weight forced his transition to training. The first good horse Pincus trained was Eagle, who finished third in the inaugural Jersey Derby in 1864. The following year, Pincus won the Jersey Derby with Maryland Gov. Oden Bowie’s Richmond. He again won the race in 1866 with Watson for R. A. Alexander.

Pincus was the top trainer in America in 1869, the year he won the Belmont Stakes with Fenian for Hall of Famer August Belmont I and the Travers Stakes with Glenelg, also for Belmont.

Along with Belmont, Bowie, and Alexander, Pincus trained for many other prominent owners, including Hall of Famer James R. Keene, William Astor, John Chamberlin, and Pierre Lorillard. In 1881, Lorillard sent Pincus to England to train some of his horses, including Iroquois, who won the St. Leger, Payne Stakes, Prince of Wales Stakes, and St. James Palace Stakes to go with his Epsom Derby victory.

Years later, Pincus trained overseas for Keene, after having spent time as a racing official in America. He died in 1918 at the age of 80 in Mount Vernon, New York.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1869 Belmont Stakes — Fenian 

English Classics Highlights

Won the 1881 Epsom Derby — Iroquois
Won the 1881 St. Leger Stakes — Iroquois