From Eddie Rich Racing
On Thursday January 21st, longtime trainer and California based horseman Dagoberto Perez passed away at the age of 80. A familiar and well-liked person, he was a fixture at Hollywood Park for decades, he was often seen with his signature cigar and fedora as he followed each of his horses to the track and back.
Dagoberto was born in Cuba and was a trainer in his homeland before immigrating to the United States in 1961. After many years on the East Coast as an assistant to Hall of Fame trainer, Frank “Pancho” Martin during the years Martin dominated the New York racing scene with training titles at Aqueduct and Belmont, “Dago” was there for it all and had the pleasure of working with great horses such as Autobiography, Rube The Great, Never Bow and of course, Sham.
The Martin barn headed west and so did Dagoberto. Settling in at his beloved Hollywood Park, the warm California sunshine suited him well and Dago chose not to return to New York, soon found himself as an assistant to another Hall of Fame Cuban born trainer, Laz Barrera, with whom he worked until his passing in 1991. The years with Barrera were fruitful and in time Dagoberto had a family and returned to training a small stable of his own.
Those who knew Dagoberto well know he was a caring man of his word and an “Old School Horseman” that always put his horses first. Racing was his passion and he gave his life’s work to this industry.
Dagoberto will truly be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Aurora, his adult children Lisa and Dagoberto Jr, as well as his grandson, David. Rest in Peace.