Updated: Geoffrey Stein Passes
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Trot Insider has learned that Geoffrey Stein, co-owner of Preferred Equine Marketing and co-manager of both the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and Tattersalls Mixed Sales, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, March 4
, at the age of 58.
Stein, known for his enthusiasm for fitness, had completed his regular morning run and collapsed shortly afterward. Although lacking any previously known complications, his death was determined to be the result of apparent heart failure.
Stein was a resident of Millwood, NY. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Ann Landowne, and their children Holly, Joe, Michael and Jordan. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Stein Froman, his sister, Carol, and brother, Bobby.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at the Plaza Jewish Community Chapel in New York, New York, located at 630 Amsterdam Ave. at 91st St. Services will be available in an online webcast at www.plazajewish.org.
The family requests that any memorial contributions be sent to either the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harness Museum and Hall of Fame, or Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
As much as being highly regarded for his knowledge of the racing and breeding business--and for his enthusiasm for the sport--Stein was universally liked throughout harness racing for his gentle demeanor and friendliness.
Stein’s family lived near Roosevelt Raceway during his teenage years and it was there that he became a big fan of the sport.
"The first night I went to the International and I saw Une De Mai, that was really what got me hooked," Stein said in 2001. "It’s like going to a Super Bowl and not liking football. You go to a Super Bowl, you’re going to like it."
A 1975 graduate of Brandeis University, he began his career in harness racing after graduation as a chart caller for Sports Eye (now Harness Eye) newspaper in Long Island, NY, and later became the assistant editor.
In 1981, after the birth of his daughter Holly, he left Sports Eye to care for her and to concentrate on buying, selling and racing horses, establishing a stable for limited partnerships called Select Standardbred Inc. In 1988, he partnered with his colleague David Reid and purchased Preferred Equine Marketing, which in short order became the industry’s leading sales agency.
For a time Stein and Reid managed the Garden State Sales Co. and were later tabbed to oversee the Tattersalls Sales Co. when it was purchased by new owners. The Tattersalls Yearling Sale would eventually partner with Kentucky Standardbred to become the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Tattersalls now conducts both winter and summer select mixed sales at the Meadowlands.
Stein was among the owners of the great trotting mare Moni Maker, Moni Market Breeders, and recently added the Ice Wine Stable, a Thoroughbred partnership, to his resume. Stein, through Preferred Equine Marketing, was also the syndicate manager for the stallion career of World Champion Crazed.
"The one thing that I'm most proud of throughout my career is I don't think there's anybody in the business that could say that they were ever cheated or treated dishonestly,” Stein once said.
It was an understatement typical of the man. Those who knew Geoffrey Stein were definitely richer from the experience.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Geoffrey Stein.
Mr Stein was a gracious and
Mr Stein was a gracious and kind man. He will be missed in many levels. He took a chance on me when I was a young auctioneer. He made people feel important and he always, although he did not want you to see, had a smile that said "great job"
My condolences to his family.
I remember Geoff when he was
I remember Geoff when he was a wet behind the ears, scared stiff consignor at the Harrisburg Sales years ago... Come to think of it I was much the same through those years! He would come up on the stand and hope and pray that a certain yearling would bring a given price. Telling us that if it didn't he might lose the client. Well all of you who read this know that those yearlings all brought their price. All their clients stayed and grew exponentially! Geoff and David continued to tackle new challenges and broke the mold many times with a fresh approach, hard work and long hours. A friend of mine worked those consignments and would be up at 3AM pulling manes and prepping for that days session. Invariably, she would tell me, the both of them were there early and often attending to every detail.
All of us will miss his easy smile, his self-deprecating humor and his wisdom doled out in a fashion that left us thinking he was sharing not educating. On behalf of every auctioneer that has worked with him - shared "stand time" for day after day and year after year - I will impart that he knew the market, knew the horses and knew the people. Geoff Stein was brilliant and this Standardbred business will be years trying to fill the void left with his passing. I will miss you my friend - broadly, deeply and forever! -Cris Caldwell
A good friend and a
A good friend and a gentleman. I knew Geoff for many years and he was always kind and friendly. He and Dave created the most powerful horse agency in the era. His accomplishments were great and his loss is incalculable. He will most certainly be dearly missed.
I have had a number of brief
I have had a number of brief contacts with Geoff over the decades, and all were pleasant and positive. How much richer the world would be ... if every kindness Geoff bestowned upon others were to be 'passed forward' by them. Condolences to all at this time of grieving. Ralph Sucee
I was saddened by the news
I was saddened by the news of Geoff's passing. A kinder and nicer man one could never meet.Geoff will be mournfully missed by this industry. My condolences go out to his family.
RIP Geoff
So young. This is such a
So young. This is such a loss. My condolences to his family and many friends.
We lost two industry giants
We lost two industry giants this weekend. Peter Heffering and Geoffrey Stein have made many important contibutions to the success of the standardbred industry, they will be dearly missed. Rest In Peace gentlemen.
I was very sad to hear about
I was very sad to hear about this... just a really, really nice man. R.I.P. Geoffrey.
I am so sad and shocked to
I am so sad and shocked to hear this news. I always looked forward to seeing and talking to Geoffrey at the Lexington Yearling sale at preffered equine's consignment, and it won't be the same without him. He knew his horses inside out and was such a positive force in the Standardbred industry. You will be dearly missed.