Emerald Downs trainer Bonnie Jenne, a fixture in Washington racing for decades, died Thursday following a battle with lymphoma. She was 76.
Jenne, who trained at Emerald Downs since its 1996 opening, compiled an impressive record of 247 winners at the track, including 15 stakes victories and over $2.9 million in earnings.
“Today is a very sad day in the Washington Thoroughbred community,” said Emerald Downs Director of Publicity Joe Withee. “Bonnie Jenne has been part of every Longacres, Yakima Meadows, and Emerald Downs race meeting since the late 1960s as a highly respected horsewoman. Bonnie usually took the winters off and came back every year to Barn 10 with her hard work and mischievous smile and laugh.”
Among Jenne’s most accomplished runners was Ladyledue, who captured six stakes races and earned honors as track and state champion filly of 2008, as well as track and state champion 3-year-old filly of 2009.
Her stable also featured notable performers Couldabenthewhisky, Mr. Makah, Naab the Win, Colony Lane, Makah Lane, and Itsallabouttheride.
Jenne’s final stakes triumphs came in 2024 with He’s Not Talking in the Washington Cup Juvenile Colt & Gelding and Dynamic Secret in the Emerald Derby. Dynamic Secret, carrying Jenne’s distinctive yellow and green silks that date back to the 1960s, won by 2 3/4 lengths and was later named Emerald Downs’ champion 3-year-old colt or gelding.
Born December 30, 1948, Jenne grew up in a house across the street from Yakima Meadows, where her father Ed Lewis won training titles in 1977 and 1978.
Her husband Wally Jenne, a former track superintendent, preceded her in death in 2020.
