H. Graham Motion

Graham Motion, who joined the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors in 2014, has won many of the most prestigious races in the United States, and horses trained by him have won almost 2,700 races and have banked almost $150 million, which is good for 16th on the all-time list of U.S. trainers by earnings.

Graham, whose family moved from England to the United States in 1980, began his career working with Jonathan Sheppard and eventually started his own stable upon the death of trainer Bernard Bond, for whom he served as assistant, in 1993 at Pimlico Race Course. He eventually moved to Fair Hill, where his training operation has been based for many years.

Graham has won four Breeders’ Cup events, including the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Maryland-bred champion Sharing in 2019. He also has six seconds and two thirds in Breeders’ Cup races.

This year, Graham is again in the top 20 leading trainers by earnings.

Graham has said top issues for Maryland racing is the continuance of revenue the purse account receives from video lottery terminals at the state’s six casinos, protection of purse bonuses for Maryland breeders, and the pursuit of uniformity of rules and regulations for horse racing on a national level.

He also said ensuring that the master plan that is part of the Racetrack and Community Development Act of 2020 is realized is critical to the future of Maryland racing. “It’s very important with the commitment that was made to hold The Stronach Group to what the original deal was,” Graham said. “This has tremendous consequences for us in a good way.”

‍