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SARGA.CO – In the long history of American horse racing, California has produced many great stars. From Swaps, the record-breaker, Best Pal, the multimillionaire winner, Lava Man, the Golden State ruler, to California Chrome, who captivated the world in the 2010s. Yet, among all these great names, there is one horse often described as the most “Californian” legend of them all: Native Diver.
Not just because of his speed. Not just because of his endurance. But because of his personality: wild, stubborn, fearless, and always running from the front, with no compromise.
Bred and owned by Louis K. Shapiro, Native Diver almost failed to become a great runner. As a yearling, he injured his back due to his own overly wild behavior. That injury caused him to run with his head held high — an unusual but iconic style. Because of his difficult temperament, he was eventually gelded. However, that decision never changed his wild spirit.
In the book Thoroughbred Champions, writer Jill Williams described Native Diver as “a horse with a wild heart, full of talent, and impossible to tame.” Perhaps that is what made him so special.
A Bottomless Speed Machine
Throughout his seven-year career (1961–1967), Native Diver raced 81 times, winning 37 of them. He averaged more than a dozen starts per year — a number almost unthinkable in the modern era.
His speed was extraordinary. He broke or equaled seven track records, including a world record in the 1965 Los Angeles Handicap when he covered seven furlongs in a flat 1:20.
He was not just a sprinter — he was also a distance star. Proof? Three-time winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup, all by wide margins, all in front-running fashion.
His third victory in 1967, at age eight and in his 80th career start, is still considered one of the greatest performances in California racing history. With his dark brown, almost black coat, Native Diver led from the break and won by five lengths in the phenomenal time of 1:58 4/5.
The media at the time described him as a miracle. “An unbelieving crowd gave a warm and respectful ovation to the king of California Thoroughbreds,” wrote the Independent Star-News on July 16, 1967.
The King of California Stakes
Native Diver won nearly every prestigious race in California, many of them more than once: Malibu Stakes (won by 6¼ lengths), San Francisco Mile (twice), San Diego Handicap (three times), Inglewood Handicap (three times), followed by the Los Angeles Handicap, San Carlos Handicap, and Palos Verdes Handicap (each twice).
In total, he won more than a dozen stakes races during his career. Even by today’s standards, a profile this tough — strong at both short and long distances and consistent over many years — is almost never seen.
The Tragic End of a Legend
After winning the 1967 Del Mar Handicap in track-record time, Native Diver suffered a severe case of colic. He was rushed to the University of California, Davis, but his life could not be saved. He died at the age of eight, just two weeks after his latest triumph.
The national media mourned his passing. The San Francisco Examiner wrote:
“Even Native Diver’s morning workouts were a breathtaking sight. He ran faster than most horses do in competition.”
His trainer, Buster Millerick, gave a simple tribute:
“He was the best horse I ever trained.”
An Enduring Legacy
Earning more than US$1 million, he became the first California-bred horse to reach that figure. Loved for his wild, tactical running style. Inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1978. Buried at Hollywood Park, and later moved to Del Mar when that legendary track closed.
Source: America’s Best Racing
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