Larry Saumell, a retired jockey who later served as a regional manager for the Jockeys’ Guild and then as a jockey’s agent, died in his sleep Monday, Oct. 17, in Maryland according to the Jockeys’ Guild. He was 54.
Saumell rode from 1973 through 1999. His mounts won 2,098 races and nearly $25 million, according to Daily Racing Form.
Riding mainly on the East Coast and in Kentucky, Saumell won numerous graded stakes including the 1976 Sapling Stakes (gr. I) on Ali Oop, the 1990 Cotillion Handicap (gr. II) aboard Valay Maid, the 1988 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) atop Cefis, the 1977 Donn Handicap (gr. II) on Legion and that year’s Black Helen Handicap (gr. II) atop Copano. He won 14 stakes in 1977.
Saumell was working as an agent for Gary Bacchas at Laurel at the time of his death.
Saumell is survived by his son, Lazarus.