Louis Albertrani, Trainer of Champion Artax, Dies at 67

Retired trainer Louis Albertrani, who conditioned 1999 champion sprinter Artax, died July 13 at his home in New Castle, Del., at the age of 67.

Albertrani’s brother Tom, also a retired trainer, said the cause of death appeared to be a heart attack.

“It was a sudden passing, one that we never would have expected,” Tom Albertrani said.

The Albertrani brothers grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., later moving to Valley Stream on Long Island. Louis Albertrani trained horses from 1992-2021. He had 1,654 starts, with 133 wins and earnings of $5,202,365.

After his retirement, Louis Albertrani worked at Parx Racing as an entry clerk and placing judge, his brother said.

“Everyone liked Lou. There was a not a person who didn’t like him at the track or away from it,” Tom Albertrani said. “He was very genuine, very outgoing. He loved to talk about the people, the racing, and the horses. Even when he stopped training, he still wanted to be around the whole atmosphere. He loved the racetrack.”

Artax, owned by Ernie Paragallo’s Paraneck Stable, was already a 4-year-old grade 2 winner when Paragallo sent the Marquetry colt from Randy Bradshaw on the West Coast to Albertrani’s barn in New York in March 1999. Marquetry and Albertrani had a championship year to remember, winning the Carter Handicap (G1), Vosburgh Stakes (G1), Forest Hills Handicap (G2), and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Artax broke track records at Aqueduct Racetrack (seven furlongs in 1:20.04), Belmont Park (six furlongs in 1:07.66), and Gulfstream Park (six furlongs in 1:07.89) for Albertrani.

The day Artax won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Gulfstream, Tom Albertrani celebrated Daylami’s win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) as assistant trainer for Godolphin at the time.

“It’s a good memory. We both won a Breeders’ Cup race on the same day,” Tom Albertrani said. “It was a great day for both of us.”

Tom Albertrani also recalled the day Artax was interfered with by a drunken fan who stood in the stretch and took a swing at the horse during the running of the Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3) on the Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard, May 15, 1999, at Pimlico Race Course.

“I remember we talked about that incident. I am sure he told me, ‘Some nutcase ran on the racetrack!'” Tom Albertrani said. “He loved Artax. He was always close to all his horses. He loved being around them.”

Albertrani is survived by his wife Denise, brother Tom, and sisters Mary Jo Salvato and Annette Beyer. A visitation for family and friends has been scheduled for July 20 in New Castle, Del.

Donations can be made in Albertrani’s memory to MidAtlantic Horse Rescue or Turning for Home.