Derby Trail Forums - Frank Gomez passes away

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Dec. 24, 2007) – South Florida training legend Frank Gomez passed away Sunday, Dec. 23 in his home in Pembroke Pines, Fla. As his health had been in decline, last month he retired after a training career that spanned four decades. Gomez had trained at Calder Race Course since the first meeting in 1971. He was 78 years old.

Mr. Gomez grew up with horses in his native Ireland, where his father was a trainer. He served a five-year apprenticeship as a teenager and rode jumpers for 12 years in England, Ireland and Scotland.

He began his training career in 1967 in New York and first appeared on the Florida scene when Calder opened in 1971. He was the leading trainer at Calder several times: 1980-81, 1982-83 and 1992 (spring) Tropical Meets and 1982 season at both Calder and Gulfstream.

Mr. Gomez trained juveniles to sweep Calder’s Florida Stallion Stakes series twice: Smile (1984) and Naked Greed (1991) and his In Summation was within a nose of a sweep in 2005.

Mr. Gomez started the careers of national champions Princess Rooney, Smile and Cherokee Run. He won over 100 stakes at Calder and Tropical throughout the years and is a Calder Hall of Fame charter inductee (1995).

He is survived by daughters Lisa Barnet of Weston, Fla. and Beth Gomez of Atlanta, Ga., a son, Christopher Gomez of Miami, and three grandchildren. Three sisters also survive Mr. Gomez.

A viewing will be held on Friday, Dec. 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood. Telephone number (954) 989-1550.

A memorial service will be held at the same location on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:

Peter Gomez Memorial Fund of the National Speleological Society

2813 Cave Avenue

Huntsville, AL 35810

Founded in honor of Mr. Gomez’ late son Peter, the purpose of the fund is to support scientific study conducted by the NSS. More information can be found on the Internet at www.caves.org.