William I. Mott

Birthdate: July 29, 1953

Birthplace: Mobridge, SD

Residence: Garden City, NY

Family: wife Tina (married in 1985), sons Brady Thomas, and Riley.

Congratulations to Tina and Bill Mott who resently welcomed daughter Olivia!

Cigar Home Page | Allen E. Paulson | Jerry D. Bailey | Cigar's Pedigree and Races | Dubai World Cup

It was business as usual for Bill Mott at Gulfstream Park in 1997. His 27 wins were good enough to lead all trainers - Mott's fifth consecutive training title - and two of his charges (Doublethebetwice and Elusive Quality) established track records during the course of the season. All in all, just another powerhouse meeting for Mott, who has dominated the American racing scene during the past few seasons. Mott is best known for his work with Cigar, the "Horse Of The World" and two time Horse of the Year who equaled Citation's modern day record of 16 consecutive victories. Four of those triumphs came at Gulfstream Park, more than at any other track during the streak. More recently, Mott sent out Ajina to capture the 1997 BreedersŐ Cup Distaff, thus making her a virtual certainty to be accorded an Eclipse as top three-year-old filly. Mott's previous Eclipse champions (excluding Cigar) include Theatrical and Paradise Creek. Mott himself was awarded the Eclipse as top trainer in 1995 and 1996. He trained his first horse at age 15 in his home state of South Dakota and eventually went to work for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg before going out on his own. Starting in the Midwest, Mott on nine occasions was leading trainer at Churchill Downs and attracted the attention of prominent owners Bert and Diana Firestone, for whom he became a private trainer. When the Firestones dispersed of the majority of their stock, Mott began to rebuild his clientele. His primary client now is Allen Paulson, who campaigned Cigar and has an extensive breeding and racing operation.

Quick Facts:

Trained Cigar, North America's all-time leading money winner, to undefeated wins (10 for 10 in 1995).

Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer (1995).

Ranked second nationally in 1995 with purses of $11,789,790.

Leading Trainer with 16 wins at Belmont fall meet in 1994.

Won Breeders' Cup Turf in 1987 and 1992.

Trained Eclipse Award winners Paradise Creek (1994) and Theatrical (1987).

Ranked fifth in year-end NYRA standings (1994).

Ranked fourth in year-end NYRA standings (1993).

Saddled 13 winners at Saratoga (1992), tying with D. Wayne Lukas for trainer title.

Won the Modesty (1989-90), Isaac Murphy (1986-87), Secretariat (1985), and Arlington (1985) at Arlington.

Won nine training titles at Churchill Downs (with record-setting 54 wins in 1984), two at Keeneland, and two at Saratoga.

Tagging after his father, a veterinarian who treated horses, greatly influenced Mott's choices in life. At the young age of 15, he trained his first horse and won his first race at an unrecognized track in South Dakota. Mott persevered and before he graduated from high school, he had bought another horse and won the South Dakota Futurity. Starting in 1975, he worked for 3 years as Jack Van Berg's assistant, then struck out on his own. After winning the Arlington training title (1985), in 1986 he went to work for Diana and Bertram Firestone. As a result, their stable brought in purses in excess of $4 million that year. By 1992, Mott returned to the public arena. His ensuing achievements are legendary.