Hall of Fame horse trainer King Leatherberry passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92. The news was confirmed by his son, Taylor Leatherberry, to the Maryland Jockey Club; King died peacefully at home. “He was truly one of a kind,” Taylor said. “No man deserved that title more than my father.”
Throughout his remarkable 64-year career, King Leatherberry secured 6,508 victories, ranking fifth in North America for most wins. He claimed 26 training titles at both Pimlico and Laurel Racecourses in Maryland, amassing over $64 million in earnings. Reflecting on his legacy in 2024, Leatherberry once said, “If I could put anything on my tombstone, it would simply say, ‘He won the race.’”
His standout horse, Ben’s Cat, achieved 32 wins out of 63 starts and earned upwards of $2.6 million from 2010 to 2017. Leatherberry’s prominence, however, was established decades earlier when he led all North American trainers in wins during 1977 and 1978.
Trainer Bud Delp praised him in 1993, saying, “No one in horse racing history has matched what he’s done in the past 25 years. King Leatherberry can train any racehorse perfectly.” In 2023, Leatherberry joined the exclusive ranks of Dale Baird and Jack Van Berg as one of only three trainers to ever surpass 6,000 career wins before retiring. Upon reaching that milestone, he humbly remarked, “I don’t know how it happened, but over the years the wins just kept accumulating. It’s incredible to be alongside just two others in history with that many victories. I’m honored.”
King Leatherberry was inducted into the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2015 and received the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of King Leatherberry during this difficult time.
Fan Take: King Leatherberry’s passing marks the end of an era for horse racing, as he was a living legend whose dedication and success inspired generations. His legacy reminds fans and trainers alike of the enduring passion and skill needed to shape the sport’s future.
