A Bahamas native, Larry Demeritte moved to the United States in 1976 to chase his dream of reaching the Kentucky Derby. He finally realized it in 2024 when West Saratoga reached the Run for the Roses.
West Saratoga, who finished 12th in Kentucky Derby 150, was an $11,000 purchase, leading Demeritte to famously quip, “I have champagne tastes with a beer budget.”
Demeritte became the first Black trainer in the Kentucky Derby since 1989, when Hank Allen finished sixth with Northern Wolf.
In 1996, Demeritte was diagnosed with bone cancer and told by doctors he had five years to live. In 2018, doctors told Demeritte he had six months remaining.
Thoroughbred trainer Larry Demeritte, whose underdog story inspired horse racing fans across the world prior to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, died Monday evening in Louisville. He was 75.
Inga Demeritte, Larry’s wife, said her husband suffered cardiac arrest after a long battle with cancer.
“He had chest pains, and they rushed him to the ER,” Inga Demeritte said. “Cardiac arrest, and that was it. He never came to.”
A Bahamas native, Larry Demeritte moved to the United States in 1976 to chase his dream of reaching the Kentucky Derby.
He finally realized it in 2024 when West Saratoga reached the Run for the Roses and finished 12th.
“That was his ultimate goal to get to the Kentucky Derby,” Inga Demeritte said. “It meant so much to him. He just wanted to get there. … He’d always ask people in the industry, ‘Are you coming to the Kentucky Derby?’ They’d be like, ‘Oh, no, I’m not going to the Derby.’ He’d be like, ‘Why are you in the sport then?’”
West Saratoga, a gray son of Exaggerator, won the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old and then was the runner-up in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks to earn his way into the Kentucky Derby.
West Saratoga was an $11,000 purchase, leading Demeritte to famously quip, “I have champagne tastes with a beer budget.”
Demeritte became the first Black trainer in the Kentucky Derby since 1989, when Hank Allen finished sixth with Northern Wolf.
In 1996, Demeritte was diagnosed with bone cancer and told by doctors he had five years to live. In 2018, doctors told Demeritte he had six months remaining.
“I’m still here,” Demeritte said before the 2024 Kentucky Derby. “God had a better plan for me than what man has. … I never felt defeated. I always say, ‘I’ll do the chemo, but I think the doctor’s wrong.’”
Demeritte went out on his own as a trainer in 1981 and won 184 races in 2,138 career starts with purse earnings of more than $5.3 million.
According to Equibase.com, Demeritte’s last race came on May 13 when Mendello finished fourth in a claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
A statement from Kentucky’s Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association said 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.”
Inga Demeritte said her husband was looking forward to getting back to the Kentucky Derby at some point.
“He was like, ‘Once you get your foot in, you always want to back,’” she said. “Everyone wanted to take pictures with him. He was like a celebrity. He inspired so many people.”