Hall of Fame

 



moni maker

Year of Induction: 
2006
Year of Birth: 
1993
Inducted as a: 
Racehorse
Election Into Living Hall of Fame: 
2006
Year of Death: 
2014
Gait: 
Trotter
Record: 
2,1:58:3; 3,1:54.1; 7,1:52.1
Earnings: 
$5,589,256
Sire: 
Speedy Crown
Dam: 
Nan's Catch
Sire of Dam: 
Bonefish
Biography: 

When Moni Maker retired in 2000 after a spectacular and lengthy racing career, she was the richest Standardbred in history with earnings of $5.589 million. This remarkable daughter of Speedy Crown and Nan's Catch was named Horse of the Year in 1998 and 1999, Trotter of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and four-time Trotting Mare of the Year (1997-2000).

Moni Maker won six of 14 starts earning $72,610 at two. At three she won 19 of her 20 (18 straight) starts and $675,574. As a four-year-old, Moni Maker won nine of 19 starts and $942,999. That year she became a millionaire with lifetime earnings of $1,691,183. The first mare to win the Nat Ray, Moni Maker also won the Classic Oaks and a heat of the Elitlopp.

At five, Moni Maker earned $1,229,828. Her 12 wins in 17 starts included the Elitlopp (world record 1:53.3), the Copenhagen Cup (world record for older mares of 1:56.4 mile rate and race record), the Breeders Crown (world record 1:52.3) and the Nat Ray. Her winning ways continued in 1999 with 14 wins in 21 starts and earnings of $1,494,972, thus making her the richest trotter of the season and richest Standardbred in the sport's history. Moni Maker won the 1 5/8-mile Prix d'Amerique, the Prix de France (first American trotter to win both), the Trotting Classic Series and the American-National.

At seven, Moni Maker won seven of 14 starts and $1,173,273. Her career best of 1:52.1 in the Nat Ray put her earnings over $5 million. She recorded the fastest time ever in Europe by winning the Grand Criterium de Vitesse in 1:53.2. Moni Maker ended her racing career in 2000 at The Red Mile. With Hall of Fame Thoroughbred jockey Julie Krone aboard, she trotted a mile in 1:54.1 under saddle, shattering the previous world record of 1:58.2. Moni Maker retired with 67 wins, 18 seconds and 10 thirds in 105 races with earnings of $5,589,256.

Moni Maker was bred by David R. Caldwell of Lexington, KY and Fredericka V. Caldwell of Cane Run Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. Originally named Nursery Rhyme, Moni Maker was purchased as a yearling by Edmund C., David B. and Timothy A. Smith of Syracuse and Alan B. Foster of Manlius, New York. Trained by William Andrews, she raced successfully as a two and three-year old for the Smiths, Foster and the Lindy Racing Stable, which obtained an interest in her in the summer of 1996. She was usually driven by Wally Hennessey, with Brian Allen, John Hogan, and David Ingraham occasionally filling in. At the end of her three-year-old racing season, she was purchased by the Moni Maker Stable, her current owner. Her trainer from that time until her retirement was Jimmy Takter. Although her principal driver continued to be Wally Hennessey, she was also driven at various times by Takter, John Campbell, Joseph Verbeeck (in Italy and Sweden) and Jean-Michel Bazire (in France). After retiring from racing, Moni Maker produced nine foals - seven fillies and two colts. She spent her final years with her equine friend, My Dolly, at Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

Moni Maker passed away on May 2, 2014.