Longtime Southern California-based trainer Eddie Truman passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 77. His brother and former jockey Jerry Truman confirmed his death in the afternoon. Truman's remarkable career in racing spanned nearly 50 years and left an indelible mark.

A Life in Racing - Eddie Truman's Lasting Legacy

Early Beginnings

Eddie Truman was born on January 23, 1947, in Kansas. As a child, he rode in local match races, showing early promise. At the age of 16, he became a professional jockey and in 1963, as an apprentice, he achieved great success by finishing as the leading rider at Sportsman’s Park in Chicago.However, his career as a jockey was cut short due to his growing size. This led him to take on a new path. He served a brief stint as a trainer in Detroit before embarking on a journey to Europe. In 1972, he moved to Southern California with the hope of finding a job in the racing industry.

Training with the Best

Upon his return from Europe, Truman decided to pursue a career as a trainer. He chose to work with the best, and that led him to Bobby Frankel. Truman recalled, "When I came back from Europe, I decided I wanted to be a trainer and that I wanted to go with the best…forget everything I thought I knew and try to learn from the best. And so, it was Charlie Whittingham or Bobby Frankel. I happened to walk into Bobby’s barn first and I asked him if I could get on some horses or if there were any jobs available. He said, ‘Who are you?’ and I said, ‘Eddie Truman.’ And he said, ‘Oh my God, you were riding when I was walking hots at Tropical Park in 1963.’ So then he told me to go get on a horse and I was in."This decision proved to be a turning point in his career. In 1974, Truman took out his trainer's license and started his own training business. He became a Southern California training mainstay for the next five decades.

Notable Wins and Earnings

During his career, Truman achieved remarkable success. He won 763 races from 5,334 starters and amassed more than $15.7 million in purse earnings. His highest-earning horses were stakes winners Go West Maria, with $452,600; Casino King, with $432,910; and Moonless Sky, with $287,130. These wins and earnings are a testament to his skill and dedication as a trainer.

Family and Legacy

According to Jerry Truman, Eddie Truman is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Casey Truman, and one grandchild. His impact on the racing community extends beyond his wins and earnings. He inspired many with his passion and commitment.Plans for memorial services were pending, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and in the history of Southern California racing.