May 4th 2024.
Larry Demeritte has been dedicated to training horses for most of his life. And now, on May 4, he is set to make history as the first Caribbean American to participate in the prestigious Kentucky Derby. This will also make him the third Black trainer in the modern era to do so. It’s a feat that speaks volumes, especially considering the history of Black representation in the sport. In the early years of the Kentucky Derby, Black riders, groomers, and trainers were a common sight. In fact, Black jockeys had won 15 of the first 28 runnings of the race. However, since 1951, there have only been three Black trainers in the Derby, due to the effects of Jim Crow segregation.
In an interview with NPR, Demeritte expressed his hope that the sport of horse racing can become more inclusive and diverse. He believes that part of the issue lies in the financial aspect of the sport. According to Demeritte, “We need to sell our sport better than we do... We need to form more syndicates because it’s getting pretty costly now to own a racehorse. It’s like any other sport... car racing and all of them, they all have syndicates...so [many] sponsors. I feel like that’s what we have to do to let the middle class know in America that it’s not a sport of kings. Anyone can play it, and the reward is so great when you have success in it.”
But Demeritte’s journey to the Kentucky Derby has not been an easy one. He has been battling cancer and a rare heart disease while pursuing his passion for horse training. Despite the challenges, he remains determined and optimistic, as he believes that being the first Black trainer in 35 years at the Derby presents a tremendous opportunity for himself and his community. He wants to inspire others and show that success in the sport is not limited to a certain race or social class.
Demeritte has also taken on a Black assistant trainer, Donte Lowery, whom he met at the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington and hired in 2015. Lowery has been a valuable addition to the team and is a big reason why Demeritte wants the doors of horse racing to be open to everyone who is interested. He wants to pave the way for future Black trainers and create more opportunities for them. As Demeritte stated, “I don’t want Donte or my other employees at the barn to have to wait this long to go to the Derby as a trainer.”
Despite his health struggles, Demeritte remains grateful for his journey and the people he has met along the way. He has a talent for evaluating horses and has a knack for turning inexpensive horses into successful champions. As he puts it, “I always say, ‘I have Champagne tastes on a beer budget,’ so I buy good horses cheap, but that doesn’t mean I buy cheap horses. I can’t afford the horses that have the papers, so I try to buy the horse that can make the paper.”
His positive attitude and determination have not gone unnoticed by his assistant trainer, Donte Lowery, who shared, “For myself, to watch him go through the things, it’s kind of hard, but at the same time, his spirits are up. He’s always in a happy mood or tries to be all the time, which makes everyone else in the barn smile and keeps him up.”
For Demeritte, every day is a gift and an opportunity to do what he loves. He credits his faith and belief in destiny for keeping him going, even on his toughest days. As he shared with The Athletic, “I believe in my faith, and I believe in destiny. I always tell my friends — I lose a lot of friends to cancer — and I said, ‘If God is not through with you yet, you will still be here.’” This unwavering positivity and determination have not only helped Demeritte in his own journey but have also inspired and encouraged others.
As we look forward to the Kentucky Derby, let us celebrate Larry Demeritte’s incredible story and cheer him on as he makes history and paves the way for future Black trainers in the sport. His journey is a testament to the power of hope, perseverance, and the belief that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
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