Longtime Horseman Charlie Carey Dead at 63

Charles A. "Charlie" Carey, a longtime Thoroughbred owner and trainer and familiar figure at tracks up and down the East Coast, passed away Aug. 31 at Inspira Hospital in New Jersey after a short battle with cancer. He was 63.

After graduating from Lunenburg High School in Massachusetts in 1975, he headed to the racetrack and never left. He earned his trainer's license in Massachusetts at age 18, becoming one of the youngest to do so, and the stable he started in 1977 competed on the old New England and New Jersey circuits and at many other racetracks over four ensuing decades.  

As a stakes-winning trainer, his horses made 4,530 starts and earned $5,069,469 from 647 wins, 641 seconds, and 608 thirds, and those horses he owned started 119 times, winning six, and earned $90,342, according to Equibase statistics.  

Carey saddled the last horse in his name at Monmouth Park Aug. 31, 2019, and worked in the industry until his death. Recently, he was assisting trainer Bobby Klesaris with his fellow New Englander's New York-based outfit.

Even though he traveled extensively to different jurisdictions while running his horses, Carey remained a passionate fan of the New England professional sports teams.

He is survived by his daughter, LeeAnn; sons Lane, Charles Matthew, and Nicholas; and his grandson, Liam. He is also survived by a brother and two sisters.

A funeral service will be held at a future date. Meanwhile, New Jersey horseman David Nunn has set up a GoFundMe page on Facebook to help the family with the funeral expenses.