Legacy Bloodstock bolstered its team with the recent addition of renowned horseman Hal Wiggins, recently-retired Thoroughbred trainer who comes aboard at Legacy to assist in client relations and owner recruiting.

Wiggins, who is most-notably known for being the original trainer of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, brings nearly 35 years of Thoroughbred experience and superior horsemanship with him to Legacy. His vast range of relationships with end-users and owners in the Thoroughbred industry will be used to benefit Legacy in better marketing its clients’ horses, as well as reaching a larger demographic of people in the industry that do not normally attend Thoroughbred auctions.

“We are thrilled to have such a respected horseman of his experience joining our team to help us increase our services to our clients,” said Mark Toothaker, partner in Legacy Bloodstock. “With Hal’s help, we will be creating an innovative selling process that extends beyond the sales grounds to encompass the whole Thoroughbred community.”

Tommy Eastham, partner in Legacy, added:

“We are always looking to add value to our services and increase our relationships in this business, and when the opportunity with Hal surfaced it just seemed like the perfect fit. His experience, personality, and relationship base would be an asset to any business. We feel very fortunate to have him on board.”

Wiggins, a Houston-area native and graduate of Texas A&M, trained horses for 34 years before retiring last fall. Once a leading trainer at Keeneland in 1998, Wiggins saddled more than 840 winners and over 15 stakes winners lifetime. His biggest stakes winner was the aforementioned Rachel Alexandra, who under Wiggins’s care won four graded stakes races – including a record-setting 20 ¼-length romp in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Wiggins was honored last November with the 2009 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award. He is married to long-time wife and companion Rene, and the couple has two sons – Lon and Whitney – and several grandchildren.

“Tommy and Mark are both great guys that I have a lot of respect for,” Wiggins said. “I’ve trained racehorses for over 30 years and I’m looking forward to starting this new venture. It is both an honor and a privilege to be involved with Legacy.”