Sonny Hine

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Hubert "Sonny" Hine (born January 9, 1931 in The Bronx, New York) was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred horse trainer best known as the trainer of 1998 U.S. Horse of the Year, Skip Away.

[edit] Early life

Hine was the son of clothing merchant and trainer Arthur Hine. Predating his career in horse racing he often rode match races with his brother, Marvin. His career began after high school upon hitchhiking to Charles Town and training Miss Economy at Marlboro Race Course.

Before becoming a trainer, Sonny joined the United States Air Force and attended Yale University for a year. While enrolled in a pre-veterinary course at Pennsylvania State University he was contacted by the United States Department of State to become a special investigator in Hong Kong, allowing him to become fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

[edit] Career

He became a full-time trainer in 1957, struggling upwards with horses such as Amber Pass, Bet Big, Cojak, Guilty Conscience, Norquestor, Royal Hierarchy, Skip Trial and Technology, securing himself at venues such as Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

With Skip Away, Sonny Hine won the 1997 Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. 1998 brought more victories at the Donn Handicap, the Gulfstream Park Handicap, the Pimlico Special, the Mass 'Cap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Iselin and the Woodward Stakes. He finished winning Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.

In 2003, Sonny was inducted into the U.S. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

[edit] References

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