Soileau's father, J.Y. Soileau, is also a well-known Louisiana horseman who won numerous stakes races around that state dating back to the 1960s. Services are at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, located at 3827 Canal Street
Services will be held April 11 in New Orleans for Samuel D. Soileau, 53, a lifelong horseman from Louisiana who died Monday in Texas of a heart attack.He had just arrived for his first Lone Star Park meeting in Grand Prairie, Texas last week.According to jockey agent Jerry Harrison, who knew Soileau since the trainer was a teenager, "He experienced some heart problems and the doctor told him there was a blood clot," said jockey agent Jerry Harrison, who knew Soileau since the trainer was a teenager. "He wasn't supposed to do anything strenuous for six months."Nonetheless, Soileau had been feeling good and wanted to work with the horses. He was at the barn Monday morning walking a few and assisting in routine chores."It was quite a shock," said Harrison, who recalled a lifetime of visiting with Soileau and his wife at barbecues and crawfish boils. "He was a genuinely nice person and he'll be missed."Soileau won the $100,000 Gentilly Handicap at Fair Grounds with Zarb's Music on March 22.Another top Soileau horse was Passatane, winner of the 1995 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile.The trainer finished the recent meeting in New Orleans with three wins from 31 starts and earnings of $114,874. He won six races there the previous season.
