Famed Florida ranch manager and trainer, Tom Caruso, whose career included jobs at Tartan Ranch and Sam-Son Ranch, passed away April 1 in Mountain City, Tenn, enjoying 66 years old.
Caruso was born on October 29, 1955 in Norwich, NY, the son of Louis and Zana. After graduating from high school, he worked for track coach Joe Bolero and traveled along the East Coast from Arlington International Racecourse come winter at Hialeah Park. The temperate Florida winter led him to pursue work at William McKnight’s Tartan Ranch near Ocala, where he worked with high-stakes winners, including Fappiano, Codex, Ogygian, Island Whirl and many others .
When Tartan Ranch closed in 1987, Caruso went to work for Sam-Son Ranch and then Roselyn Ranch. According to Bonnie Heath III, who hired Caruso as a trainer for the ranch, his career took a turn as a hotel manager but he didn’t stay away from the horse business for too long.
“Tom was a treasure and a dear friend,” Heath said. “We rescued him from the hospitality business, thanks to insight from our manager, Ken Breitenbecker.”
While at Bonnie Heath Ranch, he worked with many equity winners, including Honor Glide, Mad Flatter, Kalu, Gondwanan, His Honor, Up Front and Outstander.
Caruso worked as a track coach from 2001-07 when he raced at Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Calder Racecourse is now closed. He spent the last 10 years of his career at Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Ranch, where he was manager and coach. During his tenure at Whisper Hill, he was named Florida Purebred Farm Manager of the Year.
Bonnie and Kim Heath said they heard nothing but positive comments about Caruso from across the equine community as they informed people of his passing.
“(Caruso) was always cheerful and friendly, he brightened up the room and left us with many wonderful memories to cherish,” said Kim Heath.
Caruso is survived by his nieces, Lisa Shope of Osteen, Fla., great-grandson Zachary Shope of Sarasota, Fla., and Brett Shope of Melbourne, Fla; half-siblings, Charlene Barrows of Norwich, Martin (Bonnie) Caruso of Troy, Ohio, Julie (Rick) Jenne of Glens Falls, NY, Dano Caruso of Columbus, Ohio, Andy (Tami) Caruso of Phoenix, NY and Deb (Anthony) Turiano of Andover, Mass.
A memorial service will be held April 29 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales in-store restaurant, at 1701 Southwest 60th Ave., Ocala. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a memorial donation could be made to the Pangea Equine Purebred Retirement at 4447 Northwest 76th Court, Ocala.
