Former Coach Neil Huffman Dies at Age 87

Neil Huffman, a well known horseman and revered determine in Kentucky’s horse racing group, has died on the age of 87.

Huffman’s deep love for horses and contributions to the Thoroughbred racing trade spanned greater than 50 years, forsaking a legacy of onerous work, dedication and heat character.

Born within the midst of the nice flood of 1937, Huffman’s love for horses started when he was simply an adolescent. As recounted in “Higher Fortunate Than Good: Tall Tales and Straight Discuss from the Bottom of the Observe”, Huffman’s first horse, Rusty, got here to him unexpectedly.

“A buddy of mine who lived two blocks down the road rode the horse into my yard and stated, ‘I gotta discover somethin’ to do with Rusty. I am goin’ away to Lexington.’ My uncle Ben Masden purchased him for $100… Saddle and every little thing.” From that day on, horses would develop into central to his life.

Masden was a clocker at Churchill Downs and performed a big position in Huffman’s early training in horse racing. Masden’s mentorship helped Huffman develop a deep understanding of horse racing, and his profession would finally take him to a number of the most prestigious farms in Kentucky, together with the enduring Calumet Farm together with Tin-Dor, Lasater and Longfield Farms in Goshen, Ky. There, Huffman managed Thoroughbreds for high house owners and oversaw many important wins within the racing world.

Alongside his late brother, William “Blackie” Huffman, he co-managed Skylight Coaching Middle, the place they broke and skilled dozens of horses. 

Whereas Huffman took on a lot of the general public position, Blackie was content material to work behind the scenes. 

“Blackie gained the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, and I do not assume he even received within the Winner’s Circle… He did not need the publicity,” Huffman recalled in Higher Fortunate Than Good. 

Blackie was recognized not just for his horsemanship but in addition for his sharp wit and knack for spinning tall tales. “There have been hats going round again right here that stated ‘Mendacity Blackie.’ Everyone had a Mendacity Blackie hat. He left a little bit of a legacy,” Huffman wrote.

Huffman was answerable for foaling a whole bunch of horses all through his profession, a supply of nice satisfaction. 

“In hindsight, the largest pleasures I ever received out of fooling with horses was on these farms,” Huffman stated. 

His work at Skylight together with farms all through Kentucky helped form the subsequent technology of racehorses, and his experience earned him the respect and admiration of his friends. Huffman usually credited his love for the trade to his experiences on Kentucky’s farms, the place he lived and labored hands-on with horses day by day.

Huffman was a person of tales as a lot as he was a person of horses. He may maintain an viewers along with his tales from the monitor, the barn and life within the Kentucky racing group. Whether or not it was breaking younger horses attempting to make their solution to the racetrack or recounting Derby Week recollections, Huffman’s presence within the racing world prolonged past his skilled accomplishments. His storytelling was legendary, charming associates and colleagues alike in locations like Wagner’s Pharmacy and on the Churchill Downs bottom.

In his later years, Huffman remained energetic within the racing group, persevering with to share his data and fervour for horses with others, particularly in Barn 46 at Churchill Downs. He frolicked on the monitor, visiting outdated associates and, after all, taking care of many cats on the backstretch. 

Huffman is survived by his daughters Carla (Andy) Lucas, Lori (Bob) Liter and Deanna (Keith) Bunner; eight grandkids (Katie, Ally and Sam Dedich; Adam and Andrew Bunner; Christpher Drew Lucas, Kate McMorrow and Emmy Kupper); 5 nephews (Michael, Patrick, Ben, Daniel and Gary Lee Huffman) and quite a few grandnieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Huffman’s life will probably be held at a later date on the bottom of Churchill Downs. 

This press launch has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the group that produced the discharge.