Eoin G. Harty

Birthdate: November 23, 1962

Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland

Residence: Arcadia, Calif.

Family: wife, Kathleen; son, Eddie

Eoin Harty boasts one of the longest pedigrees in the racing world. The Irish-born trainer’s father, Eddie, was a rider who won the Grand National Steeplechase and participated in the Olympic Games. His grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather all were trainers in Ireland.

Harty, whose first name is pronounced “Owen,” brought his Irish accent and winning personality to the United States at 17 to seek the better economic opportunities that his new country offered. He first worked for John Russell and became top assistant for Bob Baffert for seven years as he integrated the differing philosophies of an English veteran who worked mostly with older turf horses and an erstwhile Quarter Horse trainer who focused on younger horses and speed on the dirt.

“He has a good disposition, and we liked to have a lot of fun, so he fit in well,” said Baffert before Harty went on his own in 2000. He was hired by Godolphin to take over a Darley Stud Management division designed to develop young horses in this country, but has since branched into a public stable.