Dorignac III dies at age 60
Submitted by N.O.V.A.
Times Picayune 11-8-2006


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Joseph P. Dorignac III, a New Orleans native who won three Fair
Grounds training titles and is a member of the track's Hall of Fame,
died Monday night of liver cancer at East Jefferson Hospital. He was
60 years old.

Dorignac began training racehorses in 1967. He ran mostly horses
owned by his father, Joseph P. Dorignac Jr., who was president of the
Fair Grounds and the track's largest shareholder from 1977 through
1984. Among the stable's best horses were Beau Groton, Diamond Black,
Future Hope, Paper Man, Galaxy Road, Big Dare and Real Dare.

"They did the whole deal, from A to Z -- breeding, racing, they
bought some babies," said trainer Frank Brothers, who attended
Ridgewood High School with Dorignac III. "I always had the utmost
respect for the Dorignac family. They did really, really well. He was
a good guy and an excellent horseman."

The red and white Dorignac silks were seen in the winner's circle
often in the 1970s and 1980s. Dorignac III was the Fair Grounds'
leading trainer in 1971-72, 1974-75 and 1983-84. He also finished
second in the Fair Grounds trainers' standings six times.

"He had unbelievable talent," trainer Louie Roussel III said. "He had
been dealing with show horses all his life, and he transferred that
knowledge. Frankie Brothers was the same way."

Longtime horse owner Sandra Salmen, now the director of group sales
at the Fair Grounds, became friends with Dorignac III when they were
children.

"He came up with show horses and show ponies," Salmen said. "He was
one of the best horsemen that was ever around. He had an eye for a
horse that was really second to none, and he had the ability to share
information."