Michael R. Matz

Quick Facts

Full Name	Michael R. Matz
Occupation	Horse Trainer
Date Of Birth	Jan 23, 1951(1951-01-23)
Age	73
Birthplace	Reading
Country	United States
Birth City	Pennsylvania
Horoscope	Capricorn

Michael R. Matz Biography

Michael R. Matz is one of the most popular and richest Horse Trainer who was born on January 23, 1951 in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. Michael R. Matz, born January 23, 1951 in Collegeville (PA), is an American race horse trainer who was also a former Olympic equestrian team member. He was inducted into The Show Jumping Hall of Fame. He lives in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He has two wins as a trainer in the Classics, 2012 Belmont Stakes with Union Rags, and 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro. ABC News named Matz “person of week” for his heroics in saving four children in 1989’s crash of United Airlines Flight 232.

Matz was a show jumping rider and had a long successful equestrian career. Six times U.S. National Champion, he won at least one major event in show jumping every year for 20 years. Matz won the 1986 World Championships in Aachen on Chef. This was in addition to the individual and team bronze medals that he won at 1978 World Equestrian Games riding Jet Run, with whom Matz also won 1981 Show Jumping World Cup. Matz was part of the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Teams in 1976, 1992 and 1996. He won four gold medals and four Bronze Medals at the Pan American Games. He won the 1996 team silver medal on Rhum IV in show jumping equestrian with Anne Kursinski, Peter Leone and Leslie Burr- Howard. Matz was also selected to carry the flag of the United States into Centennial Olympic Stadium during the Closing Ceremonies at the 1996 Games. With over $1.7million in prize money, he retired from show jumping. Matz was inducted into The Show Jumping Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006.

The plane crashed at Sioux Gateway Airport, Sioux City. It suffered a catastrophic engine failure which destroyed all hydraulic systems. Matz, despite the fact that 111 people died, was able to lead four children to safety. Matz led three of his siblings, who were travelling alone, to safety. He then went into the flames to rescue an 11-month old girl. ABC News named him Person of the Week for his heroics on Flight 232. Matz kept in touch with his three siblings who were at Churchill Downs for Derby Day 2006 and met him during the run-up.

Michael R. Matz Net Worth

Michael R. Matz is one of the richest Horse Trainer from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Michael R. Matz 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Matz was selected to carry the flag at 1996 Closing Ceremonies because of his show ring career, but also because of an extraordinary act in heroism seven year prior. Matz and D.D., his then-fiancee, were married on July 19, 1989. Alexander was returning from Hawaii to judge a horse show. They missed their flight from Denver to Philadelphia and were offered two options, each 20 minutes apart. They chose United Airlines Flight 232.

After failing to make the 2000 Olympic team, he began training Thoroughbreds and made it his full-time occupation. In Maryland, he trains at Fair Hill Training Center. Barbaro was also the trainer of Kicken Kris, the 2005 Arlington Million winner. Shortly after Barbaro’s injury, Barbaro returned to the site of his greatest victory, scoring another major Churchill Downs victory at the 2006 Breeders Cup Distaff with Round Pond. He trained Union Rags in 2012 to win the 144th Belmont Stakes.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Michael R. Matz height Not available right now. Michael weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Michael R. Matz Dating?

According to our records, Michael R. Matz is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Michael R. Matz’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Michael R. Matz. You may help us to build the dating records for Michael R. Matz!

Facts & Trivia

Michael Ranked on the list of most popular Horse Trainer. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Michael R. Matz celebrates birthday on January 23 of every year.

What is Michael Matz doing now?

Michael and Rhum IV at the 1996 Olympic Games. Photo by Charles Mann. To this day, Michael continues to remain highly competitive throughout the East Coast Thoroughbred racing world. He’s active in various circuits and continues to train at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.

Who was Barbaro's trainer?

Before Michael Matz became “2006 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Michael Matz” — conditioner of the late Barbaro — Matz was an Olympic equestrian rider known for surviving and helping save four people in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 on July 20, 1989.

Was Barbaro buried whole?

9:45am Race 1
1:55pm| Race 9

Did Barbaro sire any foals?

I) winner Barbaro, sired his first foal when a colt was born Feb. 20 at Calumet Farms near Lexington.

Would Barbaro have won the Triple Crown?

Barbaro
Earnings| $2,302,221
Major wins