David E. Hofmans, coach of 1996 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) winner Alphabet Soup and 1997 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Contact Gold, died July 3 on the age of 81.
Hofmans’ coaching statistics on Equibase date again to 1974. A Los Angeles native, he has been a fixture on the Southern California racing scene for many years. He gained 1,085 races with earnings of $53,335,405.
Hofmans had two wins from 12 begins in 2024. His remaining victory as coach got here in a $25,000 claiming race Might 11 at Santa Anita Park with Seventeen Black for longtime shoppers Amerman Racing.
For the Amermans, Hofmans educated 2001 Hollywood Futurity (G1) winner Siphonic, 2003 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Adoration, and a number of grade 1 winner and millionaire Steadiness , amongst many others.
Hofmans gained the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf Dash, earlier than it was a graded race, with Desert Code for Tarabilla Farms. Richard Migliore rode Desert Code that day at Santa Anita.
“He was among the best horseman I’ve ever recognized and he grew to become an expensive pal,” Migliore stated Wednesday evening. “I loved our conversations as a result of he had a lot data about so many issues. He had many layers as an individual that I really feel privileged he allowed me in.”
David Hofmans and Contact Gold
Different grade 1 winners educated by Hofmans included 1994 Hollywood Derby (G1T) winner River Flyer, 1995 Acorn Stakes (G1) winner Cat’s Cradle, 1996 Meadowlands Cup (G1) winner and $2.5 million earner Dramatic Gold, 2005 Bing Crosby Handicap (G1) winner Greg’s Gold, 2010 Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner J P’s Gusto , and 2016 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) winner Melatonin .
Hofmans educated Contact Gold for Stronach Stables and Stonerside Stables. Following a troubled fourth-place end within the 1997 Preakness Stakes (G1), Hofmans, rider Chris McCarron, and Contact Gold gained the Belmont by three-quarters of a size, thwarting a Triple Crown bid from Bob Baffert trainee and Racing Corridor of Fame member Silver Attraction.
Contact Gold defeats Silver Attraction in the 1997 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
-Karen M. Johnson contributed to this story.
