05/28/2012 3:28PM

Trainer Doug O'Neill: Profile, career highlights

By DRF Staff
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Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Doug O'Neill at I'll Have Another's stall at Pimlico.

Doug O'Neill

Born: May 24, 1968, Dearborn, Mich.

• Won first Classic races in 2012 when I’ll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness after winning the Santa Anita Derby and Robert Lewis earlier in the year

• Claimed Lava Man for $50,000 and won a record $5,180,678 off the claim. In 2006, Lava Man completed an unprecedented sweep of the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Pacific Classic, the three major races for older horses in Southern California. Lava Man is now a stable pony and accompanied I’ll Have Another to post in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

• Won or tied for 27 training titles in Southern California since 2002, including six at Santa Anita or Oak Tree and four at Del Mar

• Won four Hollywood Gold Cups, three in a row with Lava Man (2005-2007) and one with Sky Jack in 2002

• Won Japan Cup Dirt in 2003 with Fleetstreet Dancer

• Began training in 1988

• Worked as assistant to Richard Mandella, Doug Peterson, Hector Palma, and Jude Feld

Career record (through May 23, 2012)

• Starts: 9,853
• Wins: 1,632
• Seconds: 1,456
• Thirds: 1,332
• Earnings: $77,701,690 (21st all time)
• Top year in wins, 2010 (185)
• Top year in earnings, 2006 ($11,251,656)
• Trained three champions
    o Maryfield, 2007 Female Sprinter
    o Thor’s Echo, 2006 Sprinter
    o Stevie Wonderboy, 2005 2-Year-Old Male
• Trained three Breeders’ Cup winners
    o Maryfield, 2007 Filly and Mare Sprint
    o Thor’s Echo, 2006 Sprint
    o Stevie Wonderboy, 2005 Juvenile

Daily Racing Form coverage

O'Neill checks in on I'll Have Another, likes what he sees
By training the winner of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, Doug O’Neill arrived at the peak of his profession. He said it was confirmation that, given the opportunity, he could compete at the highest level of the sport. His has been a complicated, multi-dimensional career. David Grening »

O'Neill banned 45 days; penalty won't affect Triple Crown run
Trainer Doug O’Neill arrived in New York early Sunday morning following the red-eye flight from Southern California. Any jet-lag he may have felt from the cross-country trip dissipated after laying eyes on his Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another. Steve Andersen »

Many layers to Derby-winning trainer O'Neill
By training the winner of the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, Doug O’Neill arrived at the peak of his profession. He said it was confirmation that, given the opportunity, he could compete at the highest level of the sport. His has been a complicated, multi-dimensional career. Jay Privman »

Linda Reppert More than 1 year ago
Thank you for the total listing of Douglas O'Neill's wins, shows and places. I did not realize Doug O'Neill claimed Lava Man. I just never knew that. I wondered how he ended up mentoring I'll Have Another. Most impressive i feel is that O'Neill trained under Richard Mandela. He is highly respected as a trainer. I find it refreshing to know, that O'Neill started out at the bottom of the ladder in the training business, He should not be so short shrifted in the experience department. I respect the man for his ability to seek the advice of trainers like Mr. Billy Turner. Good Luck O'Neill, I'll Have Another and Mr. Reddam for selecting Mr. O'Neill. From every angle of this team, there comes a story. That they all came together is amazing.
Jerry Ray More than 1 year ago
I don't understand all the knocks he has received and I'm very saddened at NYRa for banning the nose tape.Anything more to distrack his chances.I hate to see any horse break Affirmed's title as the last Triple Crown Winner as he was my favorite horse from his first start.I would love to see him do it just to show everyone how good he is.
Sam Pipitone More than 1 year ago
Michigan People sure Know what they are doing when it comes to Race Horses. Bill Mot is from Michigan,Doug O"’Neil Is from Michigan and I am from Michigan, Love the Success Congratulations. I‘ll Have Another Has a lot to carry in the last leg of the triple crown. The Stigma,Hopes and dreams in a time we all really need a hero. May he stay sound .God bless and I’ll Have Another's destiny awaits. See You In The winners circle. Sam Pipitone
Pom De Terre More than 1 year ago
Why have O'Neill's doping busts in FOURTEEN different states not been mentioned in this glorious career profile? Seems like he must, at least, tie that with another unmentioned trainer, or maybe, O'Neill owns it outright. How thoughtless of the author to overlook these minor achievements.
Bobby McMeans More than 1 year ago
I'm sorry but your information is incorrect. Over the course of his career, he has 14 infractions and no, he is not tied with Richard Dutrow who has 57 infractions in FOURTEEN different states. Doug O'Neill does not even have the most overages in Southern California let alone the nation. You should also know that even with the high number of starters he has every year, the O'Neill barn hasn't had any bad tests in the last two years. The only reason that test is common knowledge is because he has vehemently denied any wrong doing and has fought it for two years. His positive tests have been for minor drugs not the "caine" drugs used to block and numb feet and legs. Both Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen have been suspended for "caine drugs". So while you may not like Doug O'Neill, he takes good care of his horses and help and I advise you not to watch the Belmont as he may win that too.
ronald menard More than 1 year ago
ONE CROOKED TRAINER AND A DOPPER!
Julia Avara More than 1 year ago
May30,2012 Dear Mr. O'Neill, I am so angry right now as a fan of your's,the O'Neill team and ofcourse "I H A" All the work and caring that you give your horses. I knew nothing about you until the Kentucky Derby but I read everything I could find on the internet before I placed a bet on your horse at 15-1 odds to w/p/s. You have many,many people that have faith in you,even if you don't win this race,you are all winners in my book. I am smart enough to know that what is being said,is CRAP!!!!! If anyone really cared about horses they would not have you take the strip off IHA. SHAME on them!!!! You must have a lot of people scared. I hate to say this but if this had been Pletcher or Baffert would the same thing be happening? HELL NO!!!! It's all money and politics. You,Your horse and your team are in my prayers. I'll Have Another will be followed by the angles of the past to victory. Count on it!!! Your Friend in Texas