Trainer Wally Dollase Passes Away at 78

Trainer Wallace ‘Wally’ Dollase passed away following a lengthy illness surrounded by his family in Kentucky, Friday evening. He was 78. Known for his “family-first” approach to a successful training operation, Dollase, born Aug. 1, 1937 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, developed a reputation as a consummate horseman, who paid strict attention to detail.

“My dad passed away peacefully with his family by his side last night,” said daughter Michelle Dollase, who also trains, Saturday morning. “My mom would like to thank everyone for their kind wishes.”

After raising his family at Rancho Rio Vista Farm near San Franciso, Dollase, along with wife Cincy, and children Aimee, Carrie, Craig and Michelle moved to Southern California to train. Training from 1990-2006, Dollase sent out the winners of 78 stakes, 18 of them at the highest level from coast to coast. Top horses conditioned by Dollase include Eclipse Award winner Itsallgreektome, who nabbed the Eclipse Male Turf Horse award in 1990, and GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Jewel Princess, who took top older mare honors in 1996. He also conditioned Deputy Commander and his son, GI Belmont S. runner-up Ten Most Wanted to wins in the GI Travers S. at Saratoga in 1997 and 2003, respectively. Other Grade I winners trained by Dollase include King of the Heap and A.P. Adventure. Dollase sent out 522 winners from 3,014 starters and earnings in excess of $37.7 million.

Funeral arrangements are pending.