Longtime Champion Quarter Horse Trainer Bruce Bell Passes Away

Three-time champion Quarter Horse racing trainer Bruce Bell passed away October 21.

© Speedhorse Magazine

VINTON, LA–OCTOBER 24, 2023–With heavy hearts, we announce the death of longtime Quarter Horse trainer Bruce B. Bell of Vinton, Louisiana, who passed away on October 21, 2023, at the age of 77.

He born July 15, 1946.

According to Equibase and AQHA records Bell had 285 winners and earners of nearly $4 million dollars. 

In 1992-93 he saddled Kansas Futurity(G1), Rainbow Futurity(G1) and Rainbow Derby(G1) winner Deceptively.  The daughter of Runaway Winner, owned-and-bred by Roger Knight, Jr., was named AQHA Racing's champion 2-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Filly of 1992.

In 1992 he also trained the AQHA Racing Champion 3-Year-Old Gelding, Femmes Frolic for Knight. The son of *Beduino (TB) won the All American Derby(G1) at 3 and the All American Gold Cup(G1) at 4.

In 80's Bell conditioned the Shirley's Champion(TB) filly Shirley B Gayle, winner of the Golden State Futurity(G1) and Golden State Derby(G1).  His other Grade 1 wins came in the World's Championship Classic and Leo Handicap.

Bell is survived by his children, Clayton Bell, Tracy Taylor and husband, Heath, Kyle Heaton and wife, Feiyang, Taylor Hays and husband, Conner; grandchildren, Michael, Jordan, Waylon, Walker and Nathaniel; sister, Donna B. Crisp and husband, Johnny; brother, Glenn E. Bell and wife, Marilyn; aunt, Judy Casment.

He is also survived by numerous other relatives and many friends.

Bell is preceded in death by his parents, Enoch Charles Bell and Mona Eaton Bell; brother, Charles Bell.

Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on Bell's Riley Smith Funeral Home memorial page by CLICKING HERE.