Exclusive Interview with Horse Trainer Larry Demeritte

Larry Demeritte was a Bahamian-born horseman who spent nearly five decades building his life in racing.

He came up the hard way, earning horses from his father, moving to the United States in pursuit of opportunity, and carving out a career through persistence, not privilege.

Known for finding talent where others weren’t looking, Demeritte built a stable on instinct, feel, and belief. In 2024, he reached the Kentucky Derby with West Saratoga, becoming one of the few Black trainers in modern history to do so, and the first from the Bahamas.

Even while battling illness, he never stepped away from the game.

Larry wasn’t just a trainer, he was a horseman through and through. His story is one of resilience, faith, and staying in it long enough to see the dream come full circle.