James E. Fitzsimmons

For the Canadian politician, see James Fitzsimmons (politician). For the Irish politician, see Jim Fitzsimons.

James Edward "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons (July 23, 1874 – March 11, 1966) was a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.

James E. Fitzsimmons
Occupation	Trainer
Born	July 23, 1874 Sheepshead Bay, New York
Died	March 11, 1966(1966-03-11) (aged 91) Miami, Florida
Career wins	2,275
Major racing wins
Oakdale Handicap (1920, 1921, 1924, 1927, 1931) Southampton Handicap (1921, 1922, 1923) Suburban Handicap (1922, 1938, 1951, 1956, 1958) Juvenile Stakes (1927, 1932, 1954, 1956) Tremont Stakes (1927, 1932, 1948, 1952, 1953) Jockey Club Gold Cup (1929, 1930, 1933, 1934, 1944, 1955, 1956) Empire City Handicap (1930, 1932, 1934, 1940, 1942, 1946) Wood Memorial Stakes (1928, 1930, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1955, 1957) American Classic Race wins: Kentucky Derby (1930, 1935, 1939) Preakness Stakes (1930, 1935, 1955, 1957) Belmont Stakes (1930, 1932, 1935, 1936, 1939, 1955) United States Triple Crown (1930, 1935)
Racing awards
U.S. Champion Trainer by earnings (1930, 1932, 1936, 1939, 1955)
Honours
United States' Racing Hall of Fame (1958) National Turf Writers Association annual Mr. Fitz Award
Significant horses
Hard Tack, Seabiscuit, Gallant Fox, Granville, Omaha, Johnstown, Nashua, Misty Morn, Dice, Bold Ruler

Early life

Fitzsimmons was born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in 1874. In 1877, the Sheepshead Bay Race Track was built, encircling his house, which remained in the infield of the track.^[1] Fitzsimmons began his career in 1885 working at the racetrack as a stable boy, dishwasher, exercise boy, reinsman, and jockey.^[2] After nearly ten unsuccessful years as a jockey, he became too heavy for the job and became a trainer. He went on to have one of the most successful careers in racing history, spanning seventy years from 1894 to 1963 with 2,275 race wins.

Professional career

Known as both "Sunny Jim" and as "Mr. Fitz", he trained three Kentucky Derby winners, four Preakness Stakes winners, and six Belmont Stakes winners. Included were two U.S. Triple Crown champions: Gallant Fox in 1930 and his son Omaha in 1935. Fitzsimmons's total of thirteen Classic wins was broken by D. Wayne Lukas in 2013. Five times, Fitzsimmons was the season's top money-winning trainer. He also trained Hard Tack and his famous son, Seabiscuit.^[1]

In 1923, Fitzsimmons took over training at Belair Stud. Following the 1955 death of William Woodward, Jr., Belair's owner, Fitzsimmons continued to train for the Wheatley Stable, where he conditioned Preakness winner and 1957 American Horse of the Year Bold Ruler, who sired Secretariat.

Accolades

In recognition of his accomplishments, in 1958 Fitzsimmons was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.^[3]

The National Turf Writers Association created an award in his name called the "Mr. Fitz Award" to honor a member of the horse racing fraternity each year.

Personal life and death

Fitzsimmons suffered from arthritis, which caused his upper back to become severely bent, giving him a hunchbacked appearance.^[1] Fitzsimmons died in 1966 in Miami. He is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Selected wins

Selected other major stakes race wins:

• Saratoga Cup: 10
• Dwyer Stakes: 9
• Lawrence Realization: 8
• Alabama Stakes: 8
• Suburban Handicap: 5
• Withers Stakes: 4