GARDEN CITY — Thoroughbred Race Horse Trainer Dominic Galluscio, 55, of Garden City, passed away March 17 from pancreatic cancer.
Born October 6, 1958, Galluscio went on to attend St. Dominic Elementary School and Germantown Central School where he graduated Class of 1976.
He began his career while in Germantown Central School, working at Clermont Farms under trainer Mike Hernandez. Upon graduation, he moved to Long Island where he eventually established his own professional racing stable.
His 34-year career at the NYRA tracks included winning 1,047 races and becoming one of the Top 100 Horse Trainers in the nation.
At the age of 18, Galluscio moved to Belmont Park where he started his career and began his rise to become one of the Top 10 Trainers in New York for the past decade. He became a champion for the backstretch workers and for the less privileged.
Although known mainly as a shrewd claiming trainer, he was great with developing young horses and conditioned many to win major stakes including the Empire classic with Organizer in 2006 and Dr. V’s Magic in 2007.
Galluscio rewarded his horses’ owners with more than $31.3 million in earnings. His best runner was the Virginia-bred Lord of the Night, who in 1989 swept the Aqueduct Handicap, the Toboggan and the Westchester Handicap. He defeated the regally bred Dancing Spree, who would take the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint that fall.
Galluscio was predeceased by his mother, Dolores, and father, Dominic Galluscio.
He is survived by his daughter, Dominique Galluscio; brothers Robert (Denise) Galluscio, Raymond (Kate) Galluscio, Joseph Galluscio and Gerald (Joanne) Galluscio; sisters, Marie (Larry) Britt and Denise (Lloyd) cote; nieces and newphews, Robie, Steven and Lynn Galluscio, Tiffany and Elise Britt, Gerard and Michelle Beebe, Grasie Mercedes, Jolee Sabella, Genna and Dominic Galluscio and Katie Bella Galluscio.
He is also remembered by his dear friends Gary and Gina Gullo, and Linda Rice.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of: Dominic Galluscio to NYTHA through The Best Program Backstretch Employee Service Team Belmont Park—Gate 6 2150 Hempstead Turnpike—Cottage 28B Elmont, New York 11003.
