Texas native Tommie Morgan has pretty much done everything in the racing industry. Growing up in Milam County, his introduction to racing came when his father, Thelston, purchased a Quarter Horse. Tommie started as a jockey on the bush tracks before beginning his training career at Delta Downs and saddling his first winner in 1975.
For the first two decades of his training career, there were no big screen tote boards and trendy social media posts, but Tommie would not have cared for those anyway. His focus was solely on picking good horses and finding their top potential. His success stories were plentiful as he had an eye for picking good prospects and a knack for developing them. His top earner was Encolure, a son of the 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge. Enclolure‘s career began in Louisiana, where he triumphed in the 1984 Hits Parade Invitational Futurity at Fair Grounds and returned the next year victorious in the Lecomte and Hits Parade Derby. His runner-up effort in the Grade 1, Arkansas Derby was followed by a trip to Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.
Morgan was an integral part of the success of fellow inductee Triple Sec, who he trained from 1981-1984. Of course, he was a prominent supporter of Texas racing, beginning as a leading trainer at Trinity Meadows and one of the core horsemen stabled at Sam Houston Race Park opened as the first Class 1 track in Texas. His Texas-bred stakes winners were numerous and fans in Houston, Retama Park and Lone Star Park were able to see the prowess of Front Nine, Lady Mallory, Mastery’s Gamble, Cypress City Queen and Call Me Lefty. Morgan was revered by his owners, who respected his commitment to keeping each horse sound and well-cared for. Morgan served on the Texas Thoroughbred Association in 1984 and 1985.
Health issues forced Morgan into retirement in 2008 with a record of 7,732 starts, 1,122 wins and $12,434,196. He passed away in Rockdale, Texas in March, 2009 at the age of 62, survived by his son Tommie, II and wife of 46 years, Jackie. She was a major part of his racing operation and continues to be a key member of the racing office staff at Lone Star Park.
For the first two decades of his training career, there were no big screen tote boards and trendy social media posts, but Tommie would not have cared for those anyway. His focus was solely on picking good horses and finding their top potential. His success stories were plentiful as he had an eye for picking good prospects and a knack for developing them. His top earner was Encolure, a son of the 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Riva Ridge. Enclolure‘s career began in Louisiana, where he triumphed in the 1984 Hits Parade Invitational Futurity at Fair Grounds and returned the next year victorious in the Lecomte and Hits Parade Derby. His runner-up effort in the Grade 1, Arkansas Derby was followed by a trip to Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby.
Morgan was an integral part of the success of fellow inductee Triple Sec, who he trained from 1981-1984. Of course, he was a prominent supporter of Texas racing, beginning as a leading trainer at Trinity Meadows and one of the core horsemen stabled at Sam Houston Race Park opened as the first Class 1 track in Texas. His Texas-bred stakes winners were numerous and fans in Houston, Retama Park and Lone Star Park were able to see the prowess of Front Nine, Lady Mallory, Mastery’s Gamble, Cypress City Queen and Call Me Lefty. Morgan was revered by his owners, who respected his commitment to keeping each horse sound and well-cared for. Morgan served on the Texas Thoroughbred Association in 1984 and 1985.
Health issues forced Morgan into retirement in 2008 with a record of 7,732 starts, 1,122 wins and $12,434,196. He passed away in Rockdale, Texas in March, 2009 at the age of 62, survived by his son Tommie, II and wife of 46 years, Jackie. She was a major part of his racing operation and continues to be a key member of the racing office staff at Lone Star Park.