EDDIE MARTIN

Eddie Martin's first experience with horses was hanging around the cavalry barns at Army base, Fort Benjamin Harrison, near his home in Indianapolis, Indiana, where his 16-year-old girlfriend was employed as a groom. Eddie was allowed to visit his girlfriend as long he would help muck stalls and walk hot horses. Little did he realize that his introduction to these wonderful animals would evolve into an important part of his life for the next 31 years.
In 1973, Eddie turned on the television and, to his surprise, it was Kentucky Derby Day. A large, bright chestnut colt by the name of Secretariat forever changed his life when Eddie watched "Big Red" win the Derby in spectacular fashion. After following Secretariat's Triple Crown races and his phenomenal win in the Belmont, Eddie knew one day he had to own a racehorse of his own.

Despite catching the racing bug, Eddie and his girlfriend barrel raced for five years before he ever reached the racetrack. In 1979, Eddie won his first race at the Indiana State Fair. The thrill was unlike any he ever experienced, and he has spent the last 26 years of his life chasing and repeating that thrill in the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred industries. Whether winning that maiden race at the Indiana State Fair in 1979 or winning a Stake race at Saratoga, the inspiration for Eddie's life passion to be involved with racehorses was the immortal Secretariat, "Big Red".

Eddie was honored as the 1994 Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association’s Outstanding Owner/Breeder (Indiana), and he served as Commissioner of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. He is the President of Martin Stables, Inc., owner of Martin Stables South and has been a member of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association since 1986.