Lexington, KY – Horseman Jerry “Buck” Sprinkle, 77, died unexpectedly Sunday, July 26. Mr. Sprinkle had suffered a stroke a few days earlier and was hospitalized at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital at the University of Kentucky in Lexington when he died.
A native of Vernon, NY, Mr. Sprinkle started his career with horses on the Vernon Downs backstretch. His time in Vernon included working for the respected veterinarians Dr. John Steele and Dr. Paul Nolan.
During his later years of work, Mr. Sprinkle trained the trotting colt Toss Out 3, 1:54.1 ($409,828), who finished second in the 1993 World Trotting Derby. He was also involved with training 1991 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Trot winner Twelve Speed.
His association with those horses, and many others, was through his friendship with Dr. Paul Nolan and his wife, Ute. Ute and “Buck” developed many trotters in the US and Ute then sold them to Europeans.
Dr. Paul Nolan died last December and this summer Ute and Buck settled in Lexington just before the summer race meet at The Red Mile began so they could connect with friends and be immersed in the trotting world.
“He was enjoying going to the track, and we were talking about buying a yearling this fall,” said Ute about Mr. Sprinkle’s days before he suffered a stroke.
Mr. Sprinkle, who was one of 11 children, is survived by two sisters, Louann Spargo and Barbara Andrews, and many nieces and nephews. An oceanside memorial service for Mr. Sprinkle will be held in South Florida later this year.