Larry Demeritte, whose inspiring story of battling cancer and making it to the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby captivated racing, passed away Tuesday evening after a lengthy battle with blood cancer. He was 75.
A native of the Bahamas, Demeritte was the first Black trainer to saddle a horse in the race for 35 years.
Demeritte's father was a trainer in the Bahamas and his son was often at his side when he was running or training horses. Demeritte said that he watched the Kentucky Derby every year on television and that is what inspired him to come to the U.S. to train.
With the dream of someday running in the Kentucky Derby, he moved to the U.S. in 1976 and began training in 1991. He made that dream come true when he saddled West Saratoga (Exaggerator) in last year's Derby. The horse finished 12th, but Demeritte was fond of telling people that just making it to the Derby was a huge accomplishment.
“It was incredible,” said family friend Tony Mitchell. “Larry used to talk about when he was a kid in the Bahamas and watched the Derby on TV. He said his goal was to one day run in a Triple Crown race. That horse getting to the Derby was very instrumental in keeping him going. He was an incredible, incredible guy.”
West Saratoga was an unlikely candidate to take his trainer to the Derby. Demeritte bought him as a yearling at Keeneland September for just $11,000.
“I have champagne tastes with a beer budget,” he often told reporters.
But West Saratoga was not your average $11,000 horse. He broke his maiden in his fifth career start and then won the GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs. With a third-place finish in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and a second-place finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks S. as a 3-year-old, he had amassed enough points to get into the Derby.
Demeritte was very religious, which came in handy while he was battling his illness.
“I never leave my house without giving thanks in the morning,” he told NBC prior to the Derby. “Just waking up is a gift and that is very important to me.”
During the same interview he talked of how his daily routine and his love for his horses and the sport, kept him going.
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“Why lay in bed and feel sorry for yourself when you can watch a horse gallop around the track. That gives you a rush you can't get anywhere else,” he said.
Mitchell said that Demeritte was surrounded by friends and relatives when he passed away.
“He went peacefully, Mitchell said. “As sad as it was, Larry was prepared to meet his maker. He was a very religious guy. I don't know anybody who had a bad word to say about him. There was no reason to. He was such a good guy and a very dear friend of mine, as he was with a ton of people.”
Thanks to a horse named Maximus Pride (Maximus Mischief), it looked like Demeritte might return to the Derby in 2026. Maximus Prime ran second in the Kentucky Juvenile S. in his most recent effort.
Demeritte had 184 winners from 2,138 starters.
Racing Industry Remembers Larry Demeritte:
Kentucky HBPA: “Larry Demeritte epitomized the best in horse racing with his horsemanship and love and passion for the game and its equine athletes. 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.”
Joe Bealmear, jockey: “Rest in peace to a legend that I had the honor of knowing since my first memories. I thank God for allowing me to know and win for such a great man that watched me grow up from a little kid running around the Thoroughbred Center to the jockey I am today. I know he's happy in the company of his Creator.”
Steve Byk, host of “At the Races with Steve Byk”: “Larry Demeritte successfully plied a craft quietly for decades and was inspirational to those that got to know him. The limelight and adoration he received from West Saratoga's Derby couldn't have been more perfectly timed or deserved.”
Kaitlin Free, Churchill Downs racing analyst: “The world's light is much dimmer following Larry's passing. Just saw him two weeks ago–unless you knew his private battle with cancer, you could never tell. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to spare.”
Sarah Hamilton, trainer: “What a lovely human to be around–always positive, would make you laugh every time you spoke with him. He was always smiling with a twinkle in his eye. My condolences to his friends and family. Grateful I got to meet such a beautiful soul.”
Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Taylor Made Farm: “Larry was so kind and positive. He had his priorities right and had faith in God. What a wonderful human being. God bless his soul.”
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