Retired trainer Steven Morguelan dies

Stuart L. “Steve” Morguelan, who sent out his last starter in 2002 after some 30 years of training Thoroughbreds, died Tuesday night at his home when drowning in the Ohio River after apparently going into insulin shock. He was 62.

Morguelan, a diabetic, retired following a health scare in 2003, when he underwent successful surgery for a form of cancer known as cystic neoplasm.

Morguelan began his training career in the early 1970’s. Statistics beginning in 1976, the earliest year available, show he won 716 races for stable earnings of nearly $12.7 million. His best horses accounted for at least 61 stakes wins and included such names as Mattering, Satin Ribera, Lithan, Super Hit, Snake Eyes, Tarzans Blade, and Leelanau. His best stakes year was 1990, when his horses won eight stakes.