George Steinbrenner, the prominent horse owner who is most famously known as the free-spending owner of the New York Yankees, has died. He was 80
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Reports indicate Steinbrenner died today in Tampa, Florida, according to a statement by his family. The Associated Press reported that he suffered a heart attack.
“He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports,” the family said. “He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again.”
The man known as “The Boss” took baseball by storm in his 37-year tenure, helping to usher in free agency and multimillion-dollar contracts, changing managers 24 times and serving two suspensions.
Away from baseball, Steinbrenner owned both standardbreds and thoroughbreds. He and his family spent summers at Kinsman Stable, his horse farm in Ocala, Florida, which produced six Kentucky Derby entrants. Steve’s Friend had the best showing, finishing fifth in 1977. His roots, however, were deeply seeded in harness racing.
"My dad loved the trotters and pacers," Steinbrenner told Hoof Beats in an interview. "We used to go to the Cuyahoga County Fair [in Ohio] and all around to the other fairs watching the harness races. I grew up around horses."
Steinbrenner won a celebrity driving series at Saratoga in 1987 and was taught to drive by the late, great, Billy Haughton. Steinbrenner most recently had horses with trainer Bill Gallagher.
"I love the competition in harness racing. I love being part of the action. Even when I'm not driving in races, I love to go out and jog and exercise my harness horses. It just gives you a good feeling. You're out there with the horse and yourself and it's a wonderful feeling. Horses are one of the greatest animals. I love being around them."
Horses owned in the past by Steinbrenner include Incredible Finale, Personal Banner, Pacific, Orange Sovereign, Oolong and TKs Skipper. The magnanimous figure also was involved with racetrack ownership, including parts of the Red Mile, Northfield Park, Balmoral Park and Maywood Park.
"I'd love to win the Derby, The Hambletonian, or a Little Brown Jug. It's a challenge to produce a great horse whether it's a thoroughbred or a standardbred. I love challenges; I'm a competitor. If you like competition, owning horses is for you."
On whether he liked owning race horses more than controlling the Yankees: "I like horses better, because they can't talk to sportswriters."
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of George Steinbrenner.