Since 1974, Jeff Bonde has been training thoroughbred champions around the World. Today, he is primarily based at Santa Anita Park in Southern California. Jeff Bonde hails from a background in the sport, his Hall of Fame Father, Duke Bonde Jr. and Uncle, Bob Dupont were both farriers while his Grandfather, Duke Bonde Sr. spent his days as a trainer. Jeff is based at Santa Anita,while his brother Gary and Assistant Trainer is based at Golden Gate Fields.
Bonde saddled his first winner at the Stockton Fair soon after receiving his trainer’s license in 1973. He has since been a regular in the nation’s top 20 trainers and has brought in an excess of $42 million in winnings over the course of his career. He has raced at Santa Anita, Del Mar and Golden Gate Fields, but he also holds graded stakes victories in New Mexico, Arkansas and other tracks around the world.
Bonde has entered horses in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships with; She’s a Tiger, Grade I, who came in 1st place in the Del Mar Debutante, Cambina, Grade I, who came in 1st place in the American Oaks, and Smiling Tiger, a multi-grade I sprint winner being perhaps his best known champion thus far.
Bonde has long been known for having a knack for training sometimes difficult juveniles and 3 year-olds, and is known for acquiring quality horses. He usually has approximately 90 horses in training in his boutique stables where each horse is delivered personalized service and are all hot walked individually. Another unique quality Bonde is known for is speaking, reading and writing the Spanish language fluently.
