Jerry Dutton a prominent Thoroughbred trainer in California for more than 50 years, died Thursday in his native Idaho, where he and his wife Barbara had resided since his retirement in May 2006.Dutton was 87 years old.
Dutton saddled four stakes winners at Del Mar: Linda Card (1989 Fleet Treat), I’monfireforyou (1998 I’m Smokin’), Wild Babe (2004 Oceanside first division) and Senor Fango (2004 Graduation).
Dutton’s last official starter as a trainer was at Hollywood Park. According to Equibase, his trainees earned more than $20 million since 1966 with 1,624 winners from 12,645 starters.
Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer started his training career as an assistant to Dutton, who also is credited with helping the riding careers of jockeys Jerry Lambert and Roberto Gonzalez.
Among Dutton's stakes winners were Century's Envoy, Zama Hummer, Starry Ice, Elaine's Angel and Wild Babe. He saddled Confederate Yankee in the 1974 Kentucky Derby to a 12th place finish in a 23-horse field.
He was also an active breeder and bloodstock agent. Among the horses he bred were Grade I Carter Handicap winner Forest Danger (2005), Golden Ballet and Tales In Excess.
With wife Barbara Jean as his partner, the Dutton Stables remained active as owners and breeders through December 2014. They owned horses in partnership with Tom Kessler, Rick Awtrey, Tom Capehart, Harry Bettis and other longtime friends and clients.
Dutton was inducted into the Idaho Thoroughbred Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Barbara Dutton served on the Thoroughbred Owners of California Board of Directors from 2002-2005.