Ellis Park trainer Benjie LaRue retires after over 3 decades

After a career spanning more than three decades, Benjie LaRue has announced his retirement from horse training. LaRue, who began his career in the late 1980s, has long been a fixture at Ellis Park, where he has cultivated his passion for horse racing amidst both triumphs and challenges.

"I had a really good career," LaRue reflected. "I grew up here in Henderson and I've called Ellis Park home my entire life."

LaRue's career endured significant setbacks, including a devastating tornado in 2005 that ravaged the stable area and a barn fire in 2009. Despite these obstacles, LaRue persevered, driven by his deep roots in the racing industry and the support of his family, notably his late uncle Bobby, with whom he shared a barn at now defunct Riverside Downs in Henderson.

LaRue citied challenges garnering new clients and changes within the industry as reasons for his decision to retire.

"Things in the horse-racing industry have changed," he said. "We had a lot of good years here at Ellis and tracks around Kentucky. I kept my home base here at Ellis and never really had to travel around. I never minded shipping, but it was always nice to be able to run here during the summer season at Ellis."

Overall, LaRue made 1,548 starts, with his horses recording 159 wins and accruing $2.2 million in purse earnings.

“Benjie is a legend here at Ellis Park,” racing secretary Dan Bork said. “As a lifelong resident of Henderson, we could always count on Benjie to be ready for the Ellis Park meet.”

Beyond the track, LaRue is known for his love of barbecue, particularly his expertise in cooking ribs. For the past four decades, he has hosted an annual pig roast in the barn area, a tradition cherished by his racetrack family.

"I like to keep it simple when I cook my ribs," LaRue shared. "Just use some basic seasonings and, of course, make sure to have a good sauce to baste them in. Sometimes you see people take ribs off the smoker when the rack starts to bend. The key is picking them up by the end of the rack, and if the rib starts to fall off, they're ready. It’s also important to let them get some steam. That’s what makes them so tender and allows them to fall off the bone."

Although LaRue will be stepping away from training, he won’t be stepping away from life in Henderson. He plans to still spend his weekends going to Ellis Park and catching up with his friends at the track.

"There are so many good people around the racetrack that I've called family for years. We've gone through so many things together, and I think that's what made my job so much better."