Clifton Hickok
Born in Plainfield, NJ, then raised on Staten Island, N.Y. College in NYC (Manhattan). Lived in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.
Ran track and high jumped in High School. Played Baseball until the sun went down for many years. Basketball and Football were always on the agenda. Playing tackle football with no pads and at 150 pounds will attest to either manliness or stupidity depending on one’s perspective. All day everyday sports and I never had a serious injury, go figure!
Business Experience: Always wanted to be a businessman, as in wear a suit to work! Stock market for sure, but, that lasted less than two years. Tried retailing (Macy’s) for a few years then jumped into Ocean Container Shipping to give me something to do before I went back into Stocks and Bonds. Plans changed and I ultimately spent over 30 years in the Ocean Shipping sector, with my final real job there being V.P. Pacific Trade for a great company - P&O Nedlloyd, Ltd.
Education: Graduated from Pace University (NYC campus) with a BBA degree in Marketing Management. Post graduate studies, at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. Attended executive programs at Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg School of Management and Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business.
Horse Stuff: First exposed to thoroughbreds as a 12-year-old going to Aqueduct and winning my first bet placed by my Dad. Lucky enough to be at Belmont when Ruffian ran her first race and tied the track record in a 15-length victory. Back to Belmont for Secretariat’s Belmont/Triple Crown victory by 31 lengths!
Sent Terry Finley, some Army guy trying to start a racing partnership, a check on September 1st, 1993 for an interest in a 4 year old colt “Out of the Realm.” Exactly two weeks later I was standing in the winner’s circle, with said horse, again at Belmont Park. He withstood a steward’s inquiry and a claim of foul. I told Chris Antley, in the winner’s circle, I thought he “was well clear of the horse” that he passed in front of. That argument won the day. An owner with a winner’s circle photo – is there anything better? Eighteen years and over 25 horses later, still hanging around.
Been a partner in WPT’s first stakes winner (Big City Bound), first graded stakes winner (Ethan Man) and first Kentucky Derby entrant and subsequently first Grade 1 winner (Flashy Bull) - not to mention about 65 total winner’s circle photos in my collection.
Favorite Stuff: The beach anywhere! Broadway Musicals (Phantom, Les Mis). Music from Johnny Mathis to Neil Diamond to Usher and Lady Gaga, quite eclectic? Movie – Titanic. Books – Anything on Lincoln or the Civil War. Heroes – Mickey Mantle and Joshua Chamberlin (Gettysburg 1863, if you didn’t know).
Family (most favorite): Judy Johnson-Hickok, met on the cruise ship “Norway,” then the largest ship in the world. Married September 3, 1982. She beat a swimmer who finished 3rd in the Olympics and danced solo, under the direction of Robert Joffrey, at Lincoln Center. Much more accomplished that I am! Daughter Carissa (1985), Sons, Daniel (1988) and Eric (1990). All the kids doing great in very diverse ways.
Summation: I hope my Children can live a life as full, happy, unexpected and exciting as I did. Travel is a key, being in the right place at the right time is another. Hard honest work and hobbies that are just pleasurable all add to who we are. Dream the dreams that you dream and then make them come true! Always remember that to those of whom much is given, much is required. Finally, treat every living thing with respect and as if they have their own unique story – because they do!
