Report: Trainer Angel Penna Jr. dies at 74

HRN Staff
Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

Trainer Angel Penna Jr. died Tuesday at age 74 near his home in Boca Raton, Fla., after suffering from dementia, Thoroughbred Daily News reported.

Penna, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Angel Penna Sr., trained Eclipse award winners Christmas Past (top filly, 1982) and Laugh and Be Merry (top grass mare, 1990).

Penna was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and worked as an assistant to his father before going out on his own in 1980, according to the TDN report.

“He loved his horses,” his widow, Ruth, told TDN. “As you know, he was a good trainer. He took a lot of pride in bringing them to the races.”

Penna's top earner was Auntie Mame, whose 17: 10-2-3 record included three graded-stakes wins in the late '90s.

In addition to Christmas Past, Laugh and Be Merry and Auntie Mame, Penna won Grade 1 stakes with Diamondrella, Perfect Arc, Nine Keys and A Phenomenon.

Penna had a career record of 3,370: 586-451-415 and earnings of $24,084,854.

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