John Nerud (Photo: Skip Dickstein, courtesy B-H)
[NOTE: John Nerud served as a director and officer of NYTB in the 1990s and was a director emeritus of the organization until his death. Long active on the New York breeding, racing, and stallion management scene, and instrumental in the shaping of the New York breed breeding and racing program as we know it today, Nerud was honored by NYTB with a special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.]
by Evan Hammonds / Courtesy Blood-Horse
John Nerud, the legendary horseman and Hall of Fame trainer, died the morning of Aug. 13 in New York. He turned 102 Feb. 9.
Nerud died at his home in Old Brookville, N.Y., in the early hours from heart failure. His daughter-in-law, Debra Nerud, confirmed that Mr. Nerud had been in the hospital for a few days prior to his passing but he had come home Aug. 11.
“He went to the hospital Sunday night (Aug. 9) and they wanted to put in a pacemaker,” she said. “His heart actually stopped beating for about three minutes Tuesday but he came back. His will was so great, so strong.”
Nerud’s influence was far-reaching in the industry. As a trainer he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1972. He retired from training in 1978.
He served as trainer, president, and general manager of William L. McKnight’s Tartan Farms near Ocala, Fla., where he developed Dr. Fager into a four-time champion in 1968. Dr. Fager was named champion sprinter, turf horse, handicap horse (older male), and Horse of the Year.
Nerud also trained champions Intentionally, Ta Wee, and Dr. Patches. He saddled Gallant Man to a runner-up effort in the 1957 Kentucky Derby.
He was owner and/or breeder of influential stallions Fappiano and Cozzene, among others.
Nerud also was instrumental in the early days of the Breeders’ Cup as a founding member. He served as chairman of the marketing committee for Breeders’ Cup in its first few years.
As an owner he won the 1985 Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) with Cozzene, who was trained by his son, Jan.
Click here for “The Legacy of John Nerud” by Steve Haskin on the Blood-Horse website.
Click here for “John Nerud: Master of Tartan Farms” from America’s Best Racing website.
Click here for “A Storied Trainer and a Witness to History” by Melissa Hoppert, New York Times, 6/15/2015
Click here for John Nerud “Bio” from National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
MR. NERUD WAS A HUGE INFLUENCE AND WILL BE A GREAT LOSS!