Horse Trainer. His long career predated modern horse racing in California. Charlie Whittingham became affiliated with horse racing in 1930 at the now defunct Caliente track in Tijuana. He was present in the 30's when California's fledging horse racing industry moved to national prominence with the openings of Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood Park. During his over sixty years as a trainer, his horses posted amazing results...Won the Kentucky Derby twice...Ferdinand and Sunday Silence (also Preakness winner) 20 had career earnings over $1 million culminating into the top National Earnings seven times. Horses were Eclipse Award winners 11 times and the most memorable...Ack Ack, Ferdinand, Sunday Silence and Kennedy Road. Whittingham trained horses posted 2,534 lifetime wins and during his training career earned a total of $110,602.295 dollars. He personally was a three time Eclipse Award winner for horse training. Eclipse Awards are presented annually co-sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association; Its namesake Eclipse was an outstanding 18th century racehorse and sire. He was born in Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego. After leaving his first job at Caliente in 1935, he continued his learning at Longacres, Seattle, Washington, when his fledgling training career was interrupted by World War II, volunteering for service at age 28 in the Marine Corps. His service in the Pacific Theatre was extensive, while at Guadalcanal, he contracted malaria. In the postwar, Charlie resumed his career as an assistant to Hall of Famer trainer Horatio Luro in New York. In 1950, he set up his own stable training horses for various owners. A 40-year reign started in Southern California where his trained horses won practically every stakes race multiple times. Suffering from leukemia, an uncomfortable day ensured with labored breathing. He was taken from his home in Sierra Madre and admitted to nearby St Luke Medical Center in Pasadena where he passed away at 86 years of age. A week before, he celebrated a birthday party with his family and then was able to attend the races at Santa Anita. His death was announced during the races at the track and a respectful crowd stood and observed a moment of silence. Legacy...He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974. Named in his honor is the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap held annually at Hollywood Park. He was featured in a book by Jay Hovdey in 1993 "Whittingham: The Story of Thoroughbred Racing Legend."