NEWS
Veteran trainer Sullivan dies at 77
Posted: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Trainer John Sullivan, whose 40-to-1 outsider The Bart thrilled racing fans as he gamely dueled John Henry to the wire in the inaugural Arlington Million Invitational in 1981, died from cancer on Tuesday night in Arcadia, California, at age 77.
John Henry defeated The Bart by a nose in the event, the world's first $1-million race, and went on to be voted the season's Horse of the Year. His battle with The Bart is memorialized in bronze with a statue overlooking the paddock at Arlington Park.
Sullivan saddled the son of *Le Fabuleux, a top turf horse, to four graded stakes wins, including a track record victory in the 1982 Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap (G1). Sullivan's other top runners included 1985 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Forzando (GB) and 1986 Del Mar Derby (G2) and California Derby (G2) winner Vernon Castle.
Sullivan's list of owners included Franklin Groves, owner of The Bart; Allen Paulson; Nelson Bunker Hunt; and Richard Duchossois.
Sullivan was born in Ireland in 1928 and came to America in 1956 to train in Chicago and Florida. He eventually moved his operation to California.
Fellow trainer Mel Stute fondly recalled his longtime comrade.
"I was in Ireland around 1978 when I really got to know him," Stute said. "I was buying a horse and over there they have little grandstands where everybody congregates. I had met John before that in the United States and I didn't know him very well. But behind the stand was a pub, so I went around to get a drink, and who's standing there but John Sullivan.
"I hate beer, but John said to me 'You've got to try this black beer.' " Stute continued. "That's when I really got to know him. We did a lot of things together and we were good friends. Everything was fun with John."
Funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 27 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in
Arcadia.
