William Molter

Who was William Molter?

William "Willie" Molter was an American Hall of Fame horse trainer in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

A native of Fredericksburg, Texas, Willie Molter began his career in horse racing as a jockey at racetracks across the Texas border in Mexico. He eventually made his way to the bush tracks of Western Canada and at the modern Polo Park Racetrack in Winnipeg, Manitoba won the 1935 edition of the Manitoba Stakes, now known as the Canadian Derby. That year he turned to training horses, making his way to the modern new racetracks being built in California where he enjoyed considerable success. He was the United States Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by wins four straight years between 1946 and 1949, and led all American trainers in earnings four times, winning the title in 1954, 1956, 1958, and 1959.

During his career, Willie Molter trained for prominent owners such as Elizabeth Arden, Andrew J. Crevolin, Travis M. Kerr, and film mogul, Louis B. Mayer. Among the horses Molter trained were 1947 Santa Anita Derby winner, On Trust, 1956 Santa Anita Handicap winner Bobby Brocato, and Imbros, who set a new world record of 1:20.60 for 7 furlongs in winning the 1954 Malibu Sequet Stakes.