Connie Hall the first female trainer to win the All American Futurity when saddling A Classic Dash to victory in 1993.

© Chris Martinez

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–FEBRUARY 22, 2024–The Connie Hall Handicap is named in honor of the all-time leading woman trainer in victories at Los Alamitos.     

Connie, who still resides in southern California, was a pioneer in Quarter Horse racing. She became the first female trainer to win the All American Futurity when saddling A Classic Dash to victory in 1993 and would later become only the second woman trainer to win the Champion of Champions when saddling the great A Ransom to victory in the 2000 running of this prestigious race.                                      

During her time at the Orange County track, Connie won 845 Quarter Horse races at Los Alamitos, which ranks her 12th among all trainers at the Orange County oval. Her 72 stakes wins are the 10th most in Los Alamitos history. Connie received the 1994 Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award for her dedication in promoting and enhancing Quarter Horse racing.                                

Connie, who attended Mayfair High in Lakewood, earned her trainer's license in 1972 at Los Alamitos. She worked hard to prove herself in a men dominated sport and in time earned the respect from her contemporaries due to her training ability, love of the horses, passion for the sport and her toughness.                                                                        

"One of the other trainers said, 'We never thought of Connie as a woman, she was just one of us,' " Hall said. "That was a pretty good compliment. I felt that was an acceptance.   

"I was around horses since I was 7 or 8," Hall added. "I showed horses and in high school, I did barrel-racing. I was awed by race horses and began working with them. The idea that they would run for money and if they win you got a prize was exciting."  

During her training career, Hall also raised her two children, Jolene and John. Rising before sunrise, Hall would begin her morning work in the barn before taking a break to get her children off to school. She would then return to the track to finish her work with the horses before the sun went down.                                   

One of the keys to her success was a great working relationship with John and Jerri Muniz and John and Kathie Bobenrieth. For them, she trained the great Chicks Beduino, who won the Bay Meadows Futurity and became one of the sport's greatest stallions. For the Bobenrieths she trained the 2000 World Champion A Ransom and Grade 1 winners Air Beduino, and Streakin La Quinta.                                   

Connie also trained the Bobenrieths' Chicks Got Pazazz, also a Grade 1 stakes winner and the mother of A Ransom. Connie's other Grade 1 stakes winners included Avison, Royal Dip, and Pies Royal Request.

Connie conditioned many other top runners including SV Blue Tornado, and Righteous Brother. She is also the most successful trainer of Paint Horses at Los Alamitos and her runners included 2001 World Champion Real Easy Cash and 2002 World Champion Cha Cha Chickie.           

The Connie Hall Handicap will feature 10 outstanding female runners (see related story) at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

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For more info' please contact larace@losalamitos.com. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.