Bob Baffert

American horse racing trainer known for training two Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), among seven Kentucky Derby victories.

Born January 13, 1953, in Nogales, Arizona, Robert A. "Bob" Baffert grew up on a cattle ranch before developing his passion for horse racing. He initially trained quarter horses in his home state, achieving considerable success in that discipline before transitioning to thoroughbred racing in the 1990s. His move to California marked the beginning of what would become one of the most prominent careers in American horse racing. Baffert's rise to national prominence began in the late 1990s when he started consistently competing at the highest levels of thoroughbred racing. His breakthrough came with Silver Charm, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1997. This success established him as a major force in Triple Crown racing, leading to victories with Real Quiet (1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness) and War Emblem (2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness). His training methods and ability to prepare horses for major races earned him recognition as one of the sport's elite trainers. The pinnacle of Baffert's career arrived with American Pharoah in 2015, when he trained the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, ending a drought that had captivated the racing world. Three years later, he achieved the remarkable feat again with Justify, who became only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner in history. Baffert holds the record for most Kentucky Derby victories by a trainer in the modern era, with multiple Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes wins complementing his Derby success. Despite his extraordinary achievements, Baffert's career has been overshadowed by numerous drug violations and regulatory sanctions. Multiple positive tests for prohibited substances in his horses, including Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit in 2021, have led to suspensions and disqualifications. These controversies have sparked debates about medication practices in horse racing and have somewhat tarnished his legacy, even as his training accomplishments remain historically significant in American thoroughbred racing.

Aggressive training methods, speed-focused horses

Hall of Fame trainer with record Kentucky Derby wins

• Triple Crown (American Pharoah - 2015)
• Triple Crown (Justify - 2018)
• Kentucky Derby (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020)
• Preakness Stakes (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2020)
• Belmont Stakes (2001, 2015, 2018)
• Breeders' Cup Classic (2001, 2014, 2016)
• Eclipse Award Outstanding Trainer (1997, 1998, 1999, 2015)