Former New York trainer Weckerle dies at 93

George Weckerle Jr., who trained Arbees Boy to an upset win in the 1974 Metropolitan Mile at Belmont Park, died Nov. 30 in Arcadia, Calif., his family announced.

Weckerle, a native of Long Island, N.Y., was 93 and was retired from training.

Weckerle worked as an assistant trainer and exercise rider for Max Hirsch earlier in his life before he began training.

Arbees Boy was Weckerle’s most prominent stakes winner. In the 1974 Met Mile, Arbees Boy closed from seventh in a field of eight as the 60-1 longest shot in the field to beat Forego, who was later named Horse of the Year for that season.

Weckerle retired from training and moved to California. His survivors include his daughter, Kathy, who has trained Thoroughbreds in Southern California in recent years.

In lieu of flowers, donation in his memory can be made to the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation.