Horacio DePaz Branches Out With Public Stable

Horacio DePaz, the multiple stakes-winning private trainer for Sagamore Farm since 2015, will also take on outside clients as he transitions into running a public stable.

DePaz, 33, currently has 40 horses in training for Sagamore spread between the Glyndon, Md., farm, Laurel Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Churchill Downs. The move comes as Sagamore's Kevin Plank—founder, CEO, and chairman of Under Armour—is scaling back his ownership.

"Kevin is on board with the idea. He's staying involved in racing but looking to focus more on quality rather than quantity," DePaz said. "It has been my privilege to work for such a committed owner as Kevin and for a farm with such a rich history and success as Sagamore. I'm excited to be able to continue that relationship while welcoming the opportunity to handle new clients, as well."

A native of Texas, DePaz got his first racetrack job at Louisiana Downs for trainer Eddie Reese. He also worked for trainers John Servis and Ralph Nicks before he spent a year in Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas' operation.

In 2006 DePaz joined trainer Todd Pletcher as a foreman and exercise rider before he was hired as an assistant to Ignacio Correas, Sagamore's previous private trainer, in 2011. When Correas went out on his own in 2015, Sagamore handed the reins to DePaz.

Among the notable horses DePaz has trained for Sagamore are multiple graded-stakes placed Recruiting Ready, winner of the 2017 Chick Lang at Pimlico Race Course; Ginger N Rye, who won the 2017 Smart N Fancy at Saratoga; 2017 Tremont Stakes winner He Hate Me; and 2017 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner Barry Lee, who came in second in the 2017 Futurity (G3) at Belmont Park and is entered in Saturday's Amsterdam (G3) at Saratoga.

"Kevin, the entire Sagamore team, and I believe in Horacio and his ability to be a very successful public trainer. We are thrilled for him to take this opportunity forward, and we are committed to supporting him in his new endeavor," said Hunter Rankin, president of Sagamore Farm. "He is a rising young star in his profession, and we're proud of everything he's done for Sagamore."