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Horatio A. Luro |
| Training Career: | 48 years (1937-1984) |
| Stakes winners: | 43 |
| Champions: | 3 |
Horatio Luro, El Gran Senor, was an Argentine-born trainer well known for his love of fine horses, women, and the good life. Luro's dashing personality and good looks brought him attention, but it was his expertise as a trainer that brought him lasting fame. Luro trained from 1937 through 1984 and conditioned 3 champions. Born into a wealthy Argentine family long associated with Thoroughbreds, Luro's initial interests were polo, race cars, and romance. His father's death in 1937 brought Luro home to run the family stable, and he settled in to a long career with Thoroughbreds. Luro's initial success in the U.S. came with horses imported from South America. He was known for his patience and careful handling of his charges, a technique he described as not "squeezing the lemon dry".
Luro and Northern Dancer
©Michael Burns
Luro was a multiple winner of two of North America's most prestigious stakes races: the Kentucky Derby and the Queen's Plate of Canada. He captured the Derby with Decidedly in 1962 and Northern Dancer in 1964; both set time records. He won the Queen's Plate with Northern Dancer, Victoria Park, and Flaming Page.
Luro's best known training achievement was Northern Dancer, a champion in America and in Canada and winner of the Kentucky, Preakness, and Queen's Plate. His first champion was Kayak II, Champion Handicap Male of 1939. He also conditioned Iceberg II, Champion Turf Horse of 1953. Horatio A. Luro was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Swaps and Shoemaker in the San Vincente © 1955 Santa
Anita Photo; ©Barbara D. Livingston
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