Fred Taral

By Kit Zinser

Not only thrilling to watch, but Fred Taral was also described as a man with the true spirit of a sincere, honest, and self-respecting athlete.  His admirers stated:

“If he was not a saint with the wings of the dove, at all events, he knew when he had enough beer to be happy without being boisterous.” 

“He could take a three-legged goat on a track and beat champions.” 

“ It was one of his chief characteristics to win at the most unexpected times. He could coach horses in the final furlong with what seemed to be a language, telling the animal the end was near and that he should hurry if he cared to take the glory and receive an extra ration of sugar when he was tucked in his hay bed that evening. So superb were Fred Taral’s hands, so strong and persuasive his arms, that during part of 1889, he rode with one arm in a sling for several months and was still able to give his mounts a worthy ride.” 

These accolades are genuine and simple adulation of a young man who began his formative years in Washington. Fred was born in Metamora in 1867, the son of Frank Taral, an early settler in Illinois. The family moved to Washington in 1875 and lived here until Fred was 14, when they moved to Kansas. In later years, many noted that Fred’s work ethic was derived from the influence of his father and the roots of his boyhood. 

Hardship was no stranger to Fred. He lost his first wife (from shell shock) in Germany, raising one son, John, who followed his dad into the racing business. A second marriage brought Fred Jr. onto the scene, who trained as a jockey following his father’s example. 

Fred, Sr., was a most neglected jockey. He was a modest rider and a shy man who never resorted to clever tricks to gain the racing world's attention. Finally, he achieved prominence in 1884 and earned the Flying Dutchman nickname. At the outset of his training, he worked hard and admirably. He believed no amount of training was too much for a jockey. According to those who observed him personally, he not only sweated over physical labors, but he pored over ponderous volumes of charts studying the performances of every horse and made his analysis from personal experiences with the thoroughbreds. A famous rider, Johnny Loftus, once offered: “Our jockeys are a bunch of whip and hand riders; what we need are brain riders, and Taral is a brain rider.” 

Domino was a renowned mount of Fred’s, a juvenile of the track that comes along once or twice in a century. There was no defeating Domino and Taral. One race, which has gone down in turf history, pitted Taral and Domino against Dobbins and Jockey Simms. “Like pistons in a gigantic machine, first one forged to the front, only to slide back again”; then the foes traded positions. The judges declared it was a dead heat, and all bets were declared off. The $25,000 stake was divided. (Dead heats are rare.) He won many races aboard Domino, and the two were unstoppable. 

Victories such as three Brooklyn Handicaps, two Champagne Stakes, Matron Stakes, Metropolitan Handicap, Withers Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – are just a few. His wins are too many to enumerate. 

Not all good jockeys make good trainers, but Taral, an educated rider, was a competent coach. He went to Germany and trained successfully for the Royal Stable. His training took him to all parts of the country. Jockeys and owners are greatly indebted to Taral. Fred Taral died of pneumonia in Jamaica, NY, on February 13, 1925. All who came in contact with Fred Taral witnessed a dedication and passion that remains unsurpassed in horse racing.