There are few more popular sports across the world than horse racing. The sector is a billion-dollar industry, with some of the most talented winners on track having won tens of millions of dollars. Therefore, it isn’t uncommon for those involved in the sport to become household names in their own regard.
That is very much the case when it comes to trainer William Mott, whose runners typically rank among the leaders when assessing the recent 2025 Breeders’ Cup odds. Mott is one of the most respected trainers in the history of the sport, and you can learn all about his life and most famous moments here.
Early Life
Mott was born in July 1953 in Mobridge, South Dakota. From an early age, he always had a fascination with horses, and that would step up a gear after he turned 15. During this time, he would begin training horses alongside his family, and there would be immediate success after landing the South Dakota Futurity before he had even left high school.
However, Mott would also set his sights on riding winners, learning how to ride during his time with Hall of Famer Jack Van Berg. But, his main skill would remain in training winners. One of his most notable early moments came in 1976, as he co-trained horses to enjoy a dominant spell at Hawthorne and Arlington Park. Such was the success that was achieved that Van Berg was named the leading trainer at both tracks.
The dominant period at the yard would continue, accumulating a massive 496 winners in 1976, which was a record that stood for nearly 30 years. But, such was Mott’s determination to excel, he would eventually leave the Van Berg yard in 1978 to make it for himself.
Saratoga Success
Mott would gain immediate success after going at it alone, with the prestigious Saratoga being a happy hunting ground for the trainer. Between 1992 and 2007, he would win nine training titles at the track, which included a staggering 27 wins in 2007.
His success would stretch across other tracks, including Belmont Park and Gulfstream Park, where he has achieved ten and nine titles, respectively. Churchill Downs would also be a happy hunting ground for the trainer, as Mott won a record 54 races during the 1984 meet.
Kentucky Derby Record
As a trainer respected for gaining big victories on the most significant days, it is little surprise that Mott has an excellent record in the Kentucky Derby. However, despite his success across the United States, he would need to wait until 2019 for a first Classic win at Churchill Downs, as Country House was awarded the race in the stewards’ room.
There was less controversy with his second victory, as he won the Derby with the hugely talented Sovereignty in 2025. The horse could be regarded as one of the best ever trained by Mott, and could have arguably won the Triple Crown in 2025 if he had taken his chance in the Preakness Stakes.
But, the three-year-old could yet end the season with a famous win, as he will renew his rivalry with Journalism in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Cigar
However, it could be argued that the most talented horse that Mott has ever trained comes in the form of Cigar. The legendary horse made an unsuccessful debut on track, before breaking his maiden a few months later. After mixing between dirt and turf, he would be rejuvenated in the care of Mott, dominating on dirt from his first start at Aqueduct.
Cigar would excel in his first full season with Mott, winning all ten starts in which he was entered, which included successes in the Pimlico Special and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The horse was later awarded the Champion Older Male award, and named the victor of the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.
However, the success enjoyed by the runner would continue in the following season, becoming the first winner of the Dubai World Cup in the UAE.
Breeders’ Cup Victories
Mott’s big-race wins have also spread across into the season-ending World Championships, as he has an excellent record at the Breeders’ Cup. His first success at the world-famous event came back in 1987 after winning the Turf with Theatrical.
He would also gain a first of two Classic victories in 1995 when Cigar won the big race of the weekend. Mott would gain a second victory in the Classic in 2011 after Drosselmeyer landed the spoils. The trainer also holds the record for the most victories in the Distaff, claiming victories in five editions since 1997. His latest success came back in 2012 with Royal Delta.
Due to his prolonged success at the Breeders’ Cup, he will be a trainer worth following at the event in 2025.
