John A. Nerud, a Hall of Fame trainer of thoroughbreds who named his greatest horse, Dr. Fager, after the Boston neurosurgeon who saved his life, died on Thursday at his home in Old Brookville, N.Y. He was 102.
His death was announced by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 1972.
Mr. Nerud (pronounced NAY-rood), a feisty, slim and dapper man given to plaid caps and fancy cars, found his way into horse racing at 18 and stayed for virtually the rest of his life — much of it at Tartan Farms in Ocala, Fla.