The Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association announced the deaths of Kentucky-based trainer Dan Sanner Jan. 15 and former Churchill Downs starter Roger Nagle Jan. 12.
Sanner, 61, based at Churchill Downs Trackside, captured his last win Oct. 19 at Keeneland with 21-1 One Cool Dude. The victory was the 149th of a training career that started in 1993. His horses earned $2.2 million, including $256,973 in 2020.
Remembrances of Sanner appeared on social media, with former Keeneland broadcast director G.D. Hieronymus writing on Facebook he would "cherish our friendship and never forget you, my brother." Also on that platform, Cecil Watts called him a "wonderful friend."
Sanner was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie; parents, Donald and Anna Sanner; brother-in-law, Richard Woodberry; and sister-in-law, Kim Sanner.
Sanner is survived by his son, Brandon Sanner (Tatum), of Simpsonville, Ky.; a granddaughter, Riley Bee Sanner; two brothers, James Edward Sanner and Paul Edward Sanner, both of Cambridge, Pa.; three sisters, Judith Bernosky (Ted) of Saegertown, Pa., Mary Woodberry of Marion, S.C., and Donna Winsor (Trace) of Venango, Pa; a sister-in-law, Rhonda Brown; a dear friend, Kayce Bell, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. ET Jan. 20 at the Shannon Funeral Home, 1124 Main St., Shelbyville, Ky., 40065, with Brother Dave Hamlin officiating. Visitation will take place from 3-8 p.m. Jan. 19.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105-9959.
Nagle, 78, was the starter at Churchill Downs from 1997-2005, known for being tough but fair. He wore the mantle of being old school as a badge of honor. All he cared about was starting races cleanly and the safety of the horses and riders.
Before he was the starter, replacing the retiring Tom Wagoner in 1997, Nagle worked as an assistant starter for 22 years.
Later in life, he made jewelry out of horses' teeth (the "caps") and silver. A racetrack character who often wore a pork pie hat, Nagle was known for his creativity and generosity.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
