Kentucky Derby trainer Larry Demeritte dies at 75

Larry Demeritte, who last year became the first Black trainer with a Kentucky Derby runner in 35 years, died Monday evening in Louisville at age 75.

His wife, Inga Demeritte, told the Louisville Courier Journal that her husband had cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital. “He never came to,” she said. He had battled cancer for years.

“Larry Demeritte epitomized the best in horse racing with his horsemanship and love and passion for the game and its equine athletes," The Kentucky Horsemen's and Benevolent Association said in a statement. "We’re all so glad and proud that Larry achieved his dream of being in the Kentucky Derby with West Saratoga. It showed yet again that the little guy, with some luck and a lot of skill, can compete with stables with far greater numbers and bankroll.

"Larry, with his backstory, engaging personality and wide smile, was a terrific ambassador for horse racing, and the industry lost one of its bright lights with his passing. Our heart goes out to Inga. We hope she takes comfort knowing how many people loved Larry and will continue to get inspiration from him.”

Demeritte, a native of the Bahamas, trained West Saratoga, who finished 12th in Kentucky Derby 2024. He spotted the Exaggerator colt for owner Harry Veruchi at the Keeneland yearling for $11,000.

“Not so much bargain basement,” Demeritte told Horse Racing Nation last year. “My motto is I buy a good horse cheap. I don’t buy cheap horses.”

West Saratoga won the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs as a juvenile and was second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) ahead of his Derby start. He had two more starts after the run for the roses, going winless in both.

In December, he was sold for $375,000 to Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing. BloodHorse reported that he was to be sent to the Dubai barn of trainer Doug Watson to undergo an evaluation to determine his future racing plans. His lifetime earnings are $473,418.

Based at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, Ky., Demeritte came to America 48 years ago.

“It’s so cool, because I always said when I came here, I was the only farm manager who was Black in Kentucky,” Demeritte told HRN after winning the Iroquois. “I like upsetting the cart, because that’s this game. You never know who could come up with a good horse, but you have to keep at it. You’ve got to keep working.”

Before Demeritte, the last Black trainer with a Kentucky Derby entrant was Hank Allen, who finished sixth with Northern Wolf in 1989.

“I come from the Bahamas,” Demeritte told HRN. “We don’t have I would say the racist issues like here, and I accept whatever deal I am dealt. I’m thankful for all the clients I have had through the years. Not only just now in the present but all those who have made this journey possible. I thank them a lot.”