Racing Corridor of Fame coach Jack Van Berg handed away on Dec. 27, 2017, at age 81. The Kentucky Derby-winning coach who ranks fourth all-time in profession wins in North America was profiled by America’s Greatest Racing correspondent Tom Pedulla in 2014. Van Berg mirrored on the affect of his father, Marion, on his famous person horse from the Eighties, Alysheba, and on his enduring ardour for the game.
Corridor of Fame coach Jack Van Berg didn’t hesitate when requested the important thing to his success. He instantly pointed to his late father, Marion, who can be enshrined on the Racing Corridor of Fame.
“I had the very best trainer on the earth, my father,” mentioned Van Berg, 77, in 2014. “That’s an enormous benefit on a regular basis.”
He grew up in Nebraska and got here to dominate racing in that state by changing into the main coach at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha for 19 consecutive years (1959-’77). He set a file for many victories in a single season with 496 in 1976, a mark since damaged. He led all American trainers in victories 9 occasions.
Whereas his father labored primarily with low-level claiming horses, Van Berg was in a position to compete on the highest degree. Gate Dancer supplied certainly one of his best challenges. The horse was simply flustered by what was occurring round him; these distractions may simply throw him off his recreation. The coach was by no means discouraged, regardless of how a lot Gate Dancer acted up.
“In case you are horseman, you may determine that out,” mentioned Van Berg, expressing his angle towards each downside youngster that entered his barn. His persistence and painstaking strategy helped account for six,523 profession victories.
Van Berg tried all types of apparatus earlier than devising a set of earmuffs that helped Gate Dancer win the 1984 Preakness Stakes and the Tremendous Derby.
There have been no such points with Alysheba.
“He may do issues that have been unbelievable,” the coach mentioned. “He was sound. He by no means had a pimple on him.”
There have been no points with Alysheba’s demeanor, both. The extra consideration there was, the extra he loved it. He was a ham.
“He had a lot charisma,” Van Berg mentioned. “The cameras would begin flashing and he would prick his ears for everyone.”
Alysheba swept the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1987. The plain-spoken Van Berg blamed a devastating fourth-place end within the Belmont Stakes on a poor experience from Chris McCarron. The coach had urged McCarron to take the early lead, telling him Alysheba may gallop quicker than the remainder of the sphere may run.
However McCarron determined to take again a bit as a result of he was involved concerning the taxing 1 ½-mile distance. He wound up getting boxed in, denying Alysheba a authentic shot at what would have been a $5 million bonus.
Alysheba would add to his credentials by profitable the Breeders’ Cup Traditional to be the Horse of the Yr in 1988 as Van Berg caught with McCarron. When McCarron later acknowledged that he ought to have adopted directions, the coach was his normal blunt self.
“You’re a 12 months late and $5 million quick,” he cracked.
Simply as his father mentored him, Van Berg helped to ship quite a few different trainers on their means. Corridor of Famer Invoice Mott is most distinguished amongst these. He additionally maintained regular communication with Billy Gowan, coach of 2014 Preakness runner-up Experience On Curlin.
“When I’ve a query, he’s the primary one I name,” Gowan mentioned in 2014. “It’s not a veterinarian. It’s name Jack.”
Gowan added: “He’s the very best horseman I’ve been round in my life. He can inform you a large number a couple of horse simply by watching him gallop and checking his legs. Jack Van Berg is pretty much as good as ever got here down the pike.”
Van Berg breathed new life into his profession when he left Southern California initially of 2014 for Oaklawn Park in Scorching Springs, Ark. He admitted that as he bought older he was not as hands-on as he was once. His ardour, although, was as nice as ever.
“Ain’t nothing extra thrilling than getting horse within the barn,” he mentioned in 2014. “That may maintain your coronary heart beating.”
Notable Details About Jack Van Berg
- Dad and mom have been Swedish immigrants.
- Topic of biography entitled: “Jack, From Grit to Glory,” by Chris Kotulak.
- Had appreciable expertise as an auctioneer.
- Obtained “Huge Sport of Turfdom Award” from turf publicists in 1987 for serving to to advertise sport.
- Inducted into Truthful Grounds Racing Corridor of Fame in 1991.
