Former horse trainer honored at Ellis Park

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) - The family of Wayne Martin gathered at Ellis Park to spread his ashes following his 50-year career in the horse racing industry.

Martin was a trainer, and along with his wife, former jockey Sue Martin the couple traveled across the country racing in Montana, New York, Michigan and Florida.

“Wayne and I met she married in 1973,” says Sue.  “He had trained a little girl a few years before that so that when our first race at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1973 and we raced all the way up to, about 2019.

She says her and her husband considered Ellis Park a home base, winning four races at the venue. She adds that she and her husband balanced each other out.

 “He trained, and I rode, and he told me how to ride,” says Sue. “And I told him I would train. And together, we worked together in our marriage and raising our children.”

The Martins raised seven children and now have double grandchildren.

She says the last race her and her husband competed in was with a horse Golden Firefly in 2017.

Ultimately, she's thankful to her husband for going through life with her both professionally and personally.

“I had such a wonderful 53-year marriage, and we, supported each other from start to the finish and all the way through with a few major speed bumps.”