Neil D. Drysdale

A native of England, Neil Drysdale studied at the University of Barcelona in Spain and taught English as a foreign language before turning his focus to horses. He moved to Florida to work with show horses and then became involved with thoroughbreds, spending two years with John Hartigan at Tartan Farms in Ocala. Drysdale then worked with a racing stable in Argentina and managed a stud farm in Venezuela. After his time in South America, Drysdale returned to the United States to work as an assistant to Roger Laurin for two years before serving as an assistant to Charlie Whittingham in California for five years. He then decided it was finally time to train on his own.

Inducted

2000

Born

Dec. 11, 1947, Haslemere, England

Career

1975-

Wins

1,547

Earnings

$105,676,411

Racing Record

17.39

Win %

Biography

A native of England, Neil Drysdale studied at the University of Barcelona in Spain and taught English as a foreign language before turning his focus to horses. He moved to Florida to work with show horses and then became involved with thoroughbreds, spending two years with John Hartigan at Tartan Farms in Ocala. Drysdale then worked with a racing stable in Argentina and managed a stud farm in Venezuela. After his time in South America, Drysdale returned to the United States to work as an assistant to Roger Laurin for two years before serving as an assistant to Charlie Whittingham in California for five years. He then decided it was finally time to train on his own.

Since opening his own stable in 1975, Drysdale has trained Hall of Fame members A.P. Indy, Princess Rooney, and Bold ’n Determined, as well as champions Tasso, Hollywood Wildcat, and Fiji, among numerous other standouts.

In 1992, A.P. Indy provided Drysdale with his first Triple Crown victory in the Belmont Stakes. Eight years later, Drysdale won the Kentucky Derby with Fusaichi Pegasus. Drysdale has won six Breeders’ Cup races, including the Classic with A.P. Indy in 1992, and two editions of the Distaff with Princess Rooney (1984) and Hollywood Wildcat (1993).

Drysdale has trained 15 horses that have won $1 million or more.

Through 2023, Drysdale has won 1,547 races with purse earnings of $105,676,411.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 2000 Kentucky Derby — Fusaichi Pegasus
Won the 1992 Belmont Stakes — A.P. Indy

Breeders’ Cup Highlights

Won the 1984 Distaff — Princess Rooney
Won the 1985 Juvemile — Tasso
Won the 1989 Turf — Prized
Won the 1992 Classic — A.P. Indy
Won the 1993 Distaff — Hollywood Wildcat
Won the 2000 Mile — War Chant