All American Futurity winning trainer Gregg Sanders passed away December 10.

© Courtesy Sanders Racing Stable

 HENRYETTA, OK–DECEMBER 14, 2023–All American Futurity winning trainer Gregg Sanders passed away on Sunday, December 10th, while returning from Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico to his racing stables in Henryetta, Oklahoma from heart failure. He was 59.

Born December 16, 1963 in Plainview, Texas, Sanders left home at age 15 and hitchhiked to Lubbock Downs to get a job with Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame trainer Leo Wood. 

Aside from Wood,  Sanders would also learn the trade as a race horse trainer from working under Hall of Fame trainer Charles "Bubba" Cascio and Jack Dube.

He was also a groom for such notable runners as Brigand Silk and Dashing Phoebe.

According Equibase records, since 1991 Sanders has saddled 2,968 starters with 287 wins and earners of over $4.23 million.

Among his top horses were 1995 All American Futurity (G1) winner Winalota Cash who won 19 of 31 career starts and earned $1,952,848. His other wins included the Texas Classic Futurity(G1), All American Derby(G1), Heritage Place Derby(G1) and Remington Park Derby.

Gregg Sanders with Andra D. Meridyth's AQHA
Racing World Champion Winalota Cash. cr. 1996

Sanders also saddled Grade 3 Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge winner Rrelentless and Grade 3 Sunland Park Fall Derby winner Casmar.

He discovered and mentored the late jockey Cesar Gomez, as well as a mentor to his future son-in-law, jockey Edwin Escobedo.

Sanders is survived by his wife Caroline of 40 years, as well as daughters Tara, and Kaylee, son-in-law Jacob Thompson, son in-law to be Edwin Escobedo, and granddaughter Tinley.

Services are pending and will be posted when they become available.