By Bill Finley
According to a report by Kevin Modesti in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, trainer David Hofmans died Wednesday at his home near Santa Anita. He was 81.
Hofmans's wife, Linda Murray Hofmans, confirmed the news to Modesti. She added that the Arcadia Police Department are investigating and an autopsy was pending.
“We're devastated,” Hofmans's widow told Modesti, requesting privacy for the family. The cause of death was not immediately known.
According to Equibase, Hofmans began his career in 1974 and won 1,085 races for career earnings of $53,335,405.
His biggest accomplishment may have been his victory with Alphabet Soup (Cozzene) in the 1996 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He also won the 1997 GI Belmont Stakes with Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), the 2003 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff with Adoration (Honor Grades), and the 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with Desert Code (E Dubai).
He had struggled to reach the winner's circle since 2020, winning only 14 races over a four-year period. He was 2-for-12 this year.
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