Horse racing has become popular among several people globally. While for some, it might be a source of entertainment, people involved in it greatly benefit. Being one of the riskiest sports, they must be paid significantly. Besides jockeys, trainers also play important roles in claiming victory. And today, we will discuss one such trainer, King T. Leatherbury‘s net worth.
Leatherbury, a Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, ranks fifth all-time in wins among several American trainers. Having been inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, he is indeed one of the most successful trainers. So, without further ado, let’s know about King T. Leatherbury’s fortune and income sources.
Son of a Small-Scale Breeder
King was born on March 26, 1993, in Shady Side, Maryland. King T. Leatherbury’s father was a small-scale breeder and owned thoroughbreds. He got hooked on racing while studying business at the University of Maryland. He often used to hitchhike to Bowie or Laurel to play the races.
Leatherbury revealed that he wasn’t a lover of horses but of game. Since his dad raised horses, he was unimpressed by how the trainers handled those horses. During that time, the practice of claiming horses from one another was not considered polite. So, owners and trainers would keep it for many years, even if they were not as productive.
King thought he could do better, and shortly after graduating college, he entered the sport. It was around the same time Bud Delp, another future Hall of Famer, was beginning to dominate the game.
Earnings As a Horse Trainer During the 1990s
In 1959, Leatherbury started his career as a trainer and claimed his first victory the same year with Mister L at Sunshine Park in Florida. He now dominates the horse racing business as one of the top horse trainers. In May 1993, he marked his 5,000th victory.
When he first started out, King T. built a reputation as a clever horseman who would just as quickly raid a rival’s charges as hand-raise his own. As a trainer, he must have earned considerably from various horse racing events. So, let’s take a look at the following table showing King T. Leatherbury’s earnings over the years.
| Year | Starts | Per Start | Earnings |
| 1964 | 255 | $415 | $105,894 |
| 1969 | 485 | $499 | $242,024 |
| 1975 | 1,269 | $1,357 | $1,722,139 |
| 1987 | 1,047 | $2,639 | $2,763,258 |
| 1997 | 1,065 | $2,067 | $2,201,757 |
| 1998 | 864 | $1,986 | $1,715,739 |
Table Source: Equibase
Since the start of his career, King has made quite a good impression. In 1993, he trained Taking Risks to victories in the Baltimore Breeders’ Cup, the William Donald Schaefer, and the Jennings Handicap, including the Maryland Million Classic. In addition, he has also raced three horses, Indigo Star, Thirty-Eight Paces, and I Am the Game, in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
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King T. Leatherbury’s Net Worth Over the Years
Having started in 1959, King is still very active in the horse training business. He can be considered a pioneer in this business, and over the years, he has built an impressive portfolio. Though 2022, he has 6,508 wins, purse earnings of $64,690,117, and ranking fifth all-time.
Furthermore, the table shows King T. Leatherbury’s earnings in the 2000s.
| Year | Starts | Per Start | Earnings |
| 2000 | 553 | $1,739 | $961,520 |
| 2005 | 322 | $3,688 | $1,187,609 |
| 2013 | 280 | $6,003 | $1,680,746 |
| 2017 | 136 | $2,583 | $351,320 |
| 2022 | 12 | $5,114 | $61,373 |
Table Source: Equibase
As of March 2023, King has made 36,256 starts, 6,508 wins, and total earnings of $64,693,537. Some of the major racing wins of the trainer are Roamer Handicap(1981), Maryland Million Classic(1994), Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Handicap(2007, 2011), Toboggan Handicap(2009), Laurel Dash Stakes(2011, 2013), etc.
In April 2015, King was elected to the National Museum of Racing’s Half of Fame along with the jockey Chris Antley and the racehorses Lava Man and Xtra Heat. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame in August of the same year. Thus, with all his career earnings, it is no wonder that King T. Leatherbury’s net worth is notable.
Similarly, Keith Desormeaux is another notable horse trainer with massive earnings. He began his horse training career in the 1980s and is still actively involved.
Lifestyle and Assets
As mentioned earlier, King T. Leatherbury’s fortune is a commendable sum. With a considerable fortune, he must be living a comfortable life with his family. Talking of which, he is happily married to his wife, Linda Leatherbury. The couple shares twin sons, Taylor Leatherbury and Todd Leatherbury.
Nevertheless, it can be said that King is one of the living legends, and it is actually a matter of pride to see him where he is now. We hope he lives a beautiful life with sound health and prosperity. Our best wishes are with the Leatherbury family.
Trivia And Facts
- Some of the significant horses of King are Ah Day, Catatonic, Taking Risks, Malibu Moonshine, etc.
- He was the U.S. Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by wins (1977-1978).
- Leatherbury was the Leading Maryland trainer in wins (1993-1996).
