Dead, John A. Nerud, born February 9, 1913 and died August 13, 2015, he was an American thoroughbred horse trainer and owner who was inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1972.

Nerud, who was born on a ranch in Minatare, Nebraska, worked as a rodeo cowboy, groom and most notably as a trainer during his youth.

Prior to serving in World War II, he was the agent for Hall of Fame jockey Ted Atkinson in New England.

He served with the United States Navy during the war, then returned to racing as an assistant to Frank J. Kearns at Woolford Farm.

He eventually took over from Kearns and in 1949 trained his first Champion when Delegate earned American Co-Champion Sprint Horse honors.

During the early 1980s, Nerud assisted in the early development of the Breeders’ Cup, helping founder John R. Gaines to sell the concept to horsemen across the nation.

As a Founding Member, Nerud also served as chairman of the Breeders’ Cup marketing committee in its formative years.

In 1985 Nerud won the Breeders’ Cup Mile with his homebred Cozzene, who was trained by his son Jan. Cozzene was voted the 1985 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse.

Nerud’s wife of 68 years, Charlotte, died on August 28, 2009. John was a resident of Old Brookville, New York and turned 100 in February 2013.

Nerud remained a Director Emeritus of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd. until his death. Nerud died on August 13, 2015 at the age of 102.