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Robert B. Hess, Jr.
3535 Landfair Rd., Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 437-4730
hess2@msn.com
BIOGRAPHY
Robert Hess, Jr., 39, was brought up in racing by his father, a trainer on the Northern California
circuit. He has trained many notable horses, including Gr.I winners River Special and D’Wildcat.
Notable graded stakes winners including Know Heights, Guide, Slerp, Shellbacks, De Puntillas, Forty
On Line, Wekiva Springs, National Park, The Tender Track, Penny Marie, Spring Meadow and
Chandtrue. Bob has been licensed as a trainer for 17 years. His accomplishments included being
the youngest trainer to capture training titles at Del Mar in 1991 and 1992, and at both Hollywood
Park’s 1992 Spring/Summer and Autumn meets. He resides in Pasadena with his two sons,
Garrison and Christian (ages 11and 13).
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EDUCATION and LICENSING
Assistant Trainer’s License
Became assistant trainer to his father in 1983
California
Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts- Economics, June 1987
Played Varsity Baseball
Palo Alto, CA
Trainer’s License
California
Began training on his own in 1987, registering his first victory July 31 of that year at Del Mar
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TRAINING STATISTICS
Starts
2004
161
1st 2nd 3rd
28
22
27
Earnings
Win %
$846,799 17.39%
In-The-Money %
47.83%
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Born: July 9, 1965 in Chula Vista, Calif.
Grew up around horses as his father has been a trainer since 1958, with a stable in Northern California
Hess Sr. was training at old Caliente racetrack when Hess Jr. was born
When the track burned down the family relocated in the San Francisco area
Began training on his own in 1987, registering his first victory July 31 of that year at Del Mar
First stakes winner: Bizeboy at the Solano County Fair July 24, 1988
First Grade I win came with River Special in the 1992 Del Mar Futurity
The colt finished third to Gilded Time in that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then won the Grade I Hollywood Futurity
shortly afterwards
Saddled Irish-bred River Keen to win 1997 Californian in the horse's first race in North America; also trained Wekiva
Springs to three stakes victories and six consecutive victories earning over 2 million dollars.
Top runner in 1999 was Blueprint (IRE)
Derby contenders: River Special (93), Wekiva Springs (94), Azillion (00), D’Wildcat (01) and Ocean Terrace (02).
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