According to The Boston Post, he was the highest-earning jockey in the US in 1894, with an estimated combined payout of US$20,000.[3] Reports published at the time suggested he had even completed one season with a broken arm.[4]
New York State's passage of the Hart–Agnew anti-betting law in 1908 resulted in racetracks statewide struggling to stay in business. As a result, many stable owners, trainers, and jockeys began leaving to work in Europe. Fred Taral left racing in the United States and riding in Austria-Hungary won the 1908 Königspreis (King's Prize), the most important race in that country.[5] He also rode and trained in Germany where he rode Macdonald to victory in the 1909 Deutsches Derby. He returned home following the outbreak of World War I.
In the pre-Triple Crown era, Fred Taral had back-to-back wins in the Preakness Stakes. He first won it in 1894 aboard Assignee and in 1895 he won his second Preakness plus the Belmont Stakes with the colt Belmar. In 1899 he won the Kentucky Derby aboard Manuel.[8]
Training career
Following his retirement from riding in 1908, Fred Taral pursued a career as a trainer. Among his clients was the Riviera Stable owned by Victor Vivaudou[9] for whom he trained notable runners Fabian[10] and Miss Star.[11]
