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Jerry Hammond Still Going Strong in Horse Industry
Trainer Jerry Hammond has accomplished a lot in his career. A native of Shelbina, Mo., Hammond followed his brother, Everett, into the business at a young age and has been in the racing industry his entire life. As a result, Hammond has earned the respect of horsemen across the Midwest.
“My brother, Everett, was a jockey in 1951 through 1954, and I started following him around,” said Hammond. “I started riding when I was in sixth grade and rode at the bush tracks in Missouri and Iowa. When I was old enough, I got my license and rode for about a year. In 1956, we went up to Tri State Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a short meet. The picture (shown above) is of me winning on a horse for Bill Ford. Everett rode for him too.”
Bill and Mary Ford, from Martinsville, Ill. have another tie to Hoosier Park. Their grandson, Terry Walker, has served as the starter for all 15 years of Thoroughbred racing at the Anderson, Ind. track.
Following the meet in South Dakota, Hammond returned with Everett and soon began working for him as his assistant. During that time, Everett became a dominant force in the Midwest, earning numerous leading trainer titles and was the leading trainer in the nation for wins in 1967. In 1971, Hammond decided to branch out and start his own stable. He, too, quickly earned a place among the top trainers at several tracks.
Hammond earned his first leading trainer title at Fairmount Park in 1984 and again in 1985. He also earned back to back titles at Blue Grass Downs in 1995 and 1996.Although he has raced consistently in Illinois, Arkansas, Iowan, Kentucky and Indiana, he mainly concentrates on Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky now.
Based at Fairmount Park, Hammond oversees the conditioning of 30 horses. He recently completed the 2009 meet at Fairmount Park in third place. He keeps a small string stabled at Hoosier Park each season.
Everett has turned his stable over to his daughter, Kim, who has been among the top 10 trainers at Hoosier Park for the past decade. Kim is currently in second place on the leading trainer list in 2009. Everett still owns numerous horses in the Hammond Stable and is among the top five owners at Hoosier Park in 2009.
