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{{Short description|American racehorse breeders}} |
{{Short description|American racehorse breeders}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Bertram Robert Firestone''' (August 18, 1931 – July 12, 2021) and '''Diana Melville Johnson Firestone''' (January 26, 1932 – February 12, 2023) of [[Newstead Farm]] in [[Upperville, Virginia]] were major owner/breeders of [[Thoroughbred]] [[Equestrianism|equestrian]] and [[flat racing]] horses. They were voted the 1980 [[Eclipse Award]] for [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner|Outstanding Owner]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tra-online.com/outstanding_owner.html |title=Eclipse Awards at the TRA |access-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122123953/http://www.tra-online.com/outstanding_owner.html |archive-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 1982 were inducted in the Virginia Thoroughbred Association Hall of Fame.<ref>[http://www.vabred.org/halloffame.cfm Virginia Thoroughbred Association] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220054942/http://www.vabred.org/halloffame.cfm |date=February 20, 2012 }}</ref> They are former owners of [[Calder Race Course]] and [[Gulfstream Park]] in [[Florida]].<ref>[http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=35798 Bert and Diana Firestone at the NTRA] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926031612/http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=35798 |date=September 26, 2015 }}</ref> Their [[Genuine Risk]] was known for winning the 1980 [[Kentucky Derby]]. |
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| ⚫ | '''Bertram Robert Firestone''' ( |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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[[File:Bertram Firestone.jpg|thumb|Bertram Firestone, ca. 1963.]] |
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Bertram Firestone was a highly successful [[Real estate development#Building developers|industrial real estate developer]].{{ |
Bertram Firestone was a highly successful [[Real estate development#Building developers|industrial real estate developer]].<ref name=obit>{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Eric |title=Prominent Owner/Breeder Bert Firestone Dies at 89 |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/251497/prominent-owner-breeder-bert-firestone-dies-at-89|work=BloodHorse |access-date=July 13, 2021 |date=July 12, 2021}}</ref> Diana Johnson is the daughter of [[John Seward Johnson I]] and Ruth Dill. One of the couple's six children, her paternal grandfather, [[Robert Wood Johnson I]], was the founder of the health-related products manufacturer, [[Johnson & Johnson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.barrons.com/article/SB122065360919305361.html?mod=b_hps_9_0001_b_this_weeks_magazine_home_top |title=The Market's Finest|author=Michael Santoli|work=Barron's|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=September 28, 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Her maternal grandfather, Colonel [[Thomas Melville Dill]], was a prominent [[Bermuda|Bermudian]] soldier, lawyer and politician.<ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29525/supplement/3390 ''ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY: Captain T. M. Dill, Bermuda Militia Artillery, to be temporary Major. Dated 30th March, 1916''], ''The London Gazette'', 28 March 1916. Supplement: 29525. Page: 339.</ref> |
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==Thoroughbred racing== |
==Thoroughbred racing== |
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The Firestones raced horses in the United States and in |
The Firestones raced horses in the United States and in Europe. Bertram Firestone bought the thoroughbred Ridin' Easy in 1966 from a Keeneland sale for $15,000 and in 1969 won the [[Fashion Stakes]] at [[Aqueduct Racetrack]] and the Polly Drummond Stakes at the [[Delaware Park Racetrack]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81474311/ridin-easy/ |title=Owner Firestone Purchase Filly For Bargin $15,000.|work=The Evening Sun|place=Baltimore, Maryland|date=June 3, 1969|page=31|access-date=July 14, 2021|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name=obit/> |
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Bertram bought the colt King's Company for 35,000 guineas, that won the [[Irish 2,000 Guineas]] Turf Classic in May 1971 at the [[Curragh Racecourse]]. The horse went on to win the Cork and Orrery Stakes at the [[Ascot Racecourse#Royal Ascot|Royal Ascot]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81475035/kings-company/ |title=Longshot Deceit Wins; Drumtop Cracks Record|agency=Hera;d Wire Services|work=The Miami Herald|place=Miami, Florida|date=May 16, 1971|page=82|access-date=September 29, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Sothebys">{{cite web |url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital-catalogues/the-collection-of-mr-and-mrs-bertram-r-firestone|title=The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone |publisher=Sotheby's|place=London/New York|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Bertram bought the Catoctin Stud farm in [[Waterford, Virginia]] in 1973. In 1991 he and Diana acquired the Newstead Farm in [[Upperville, Virginia]]. For racing in Europe, they operated the 1,200 acre Gilltown Stud farm in [[Kilcullen]], [[County Kildare]], [[Ireland]] near the famous [[Curragh]], which they sold in 1989 to the [[Aga Khan IV]] for $14.2 million.<ref name= |
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| ⚫ | Bertram bought the Catoctin Stud farm in [[Waterford, Virginia]], in 1973. In 1991, he and Diana acquired the Newstead Farm in [[Upperville, Virginia]]. For racing in Europe, they operated the 1,200 acre Gilltown Stud farm in [[Kilcullen]], [[County Kildare]], [[Ireland]] near the famous [[Curragh]], which they sold in 1989 to the [[Aga Khan IV]] for $14.2 million.<ref name="Sothebys"/> |
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| ⚫ | Among their many successes in Thoroughbred racing, in 1980, |
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| ⚫ | Among their many successes in Thoroughbred racing, in 1980, their [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] inductee Genuine Risk<ref>[http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses-view.asp?varID=81 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602194301/http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses-view.asp?varID=81|date=June 2, 2012 }}</ref> became only the second [[filly]] to ever win the Kentucky Derby.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pP4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1MwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1471,2099339&dq=genuine+risk&hl=en|work=The Palm Beach Post|date=September 4, 1981}}{{dead link|date=August 2021}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | They also bred and raced [[Secretariat (horse)|Secretariat's]] son, [[General Assembly (horse)|General Assembly]] whose [[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]] track record time in winning the 1979 [[Travers Stakes]] stood until 2016. Trained by [[Dermot Weld]], the Firestones' [[Blue Wind]] won the 1981 [[Epsom Oaks]] and [[Flash of Steel]] won the 1986 [[Irish 2000 Guineas]]. In November |
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29 Nov 1982|page=30|access-date=2020-09-29}}</ref> They were the breeders of [[Vintage Crop]] that won Australia's [[Melbourne Cup]] in 1883.<ref name=“Sothebys”/> |
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| ⚫ | They also bred and raced [[Secretariat (horse)|Secretariat's]] son, [[General Assembly (horse)|General Assembly]], whose [[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]] track record time in winning the 1979 [[Travers Stakes]] stood until 2016. Trained by [[Dermot Weld]], the Firestones' [[Blue Wind]] won the 1981 [[Epsom Oaks]] and [[Flash of Steel]] won the 1986 [[Irish 2000 Guineas]]. In November 1982, they won the [[Japan Cup]] with 3-year-old colt [[Half Iced]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/222038131/?terms=%22Bertram%2BFirestone%22%2B%22Japan%2BCup%2B%22|title=Half Iced charges to Japan Cup|work=News-Press |place=Fort Myers, Florida|date=November 29, 1982|page=30|access-date=September 29, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> They were the breeders of [[Vintage Crop]] that won Australia's [[Melbourne Cup]] in 1993.<ref name="Sothebys"/> |
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In 1983, they were honored by the [[Keeneland Association]] with its [[Keeneland Mark of Distinction|Mark of Distinction]] for their contribution to Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/KEEClubPins.pdf |title=Mark of Distinction |publisher=Keeneland|date=March 20, 2013 |access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> |
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==Marriage and children == |
==Marriage and children == |
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Bertram married Diana in |
Bertram married Diana in 1973. They were each previously divorced with three children by a previous marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/300899065/?terms=%22Bertram%2BFirestone%22%2B%22Diana%2BStokes%22|title=Three Years Ago|work=The Orlando Sentinel|place=Orlando, Florida|date=April 30, 1976|page=73|access-date=September 29, 2020|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Firestone had been married twice before his marriage to Diana, to Lynn Belnap in 1955 and to Dariel Henderson in 1962.<ref>{{cite book |last= Goldsmith |first=Barbara|date=1987|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YNO7AAAAIAAJ&q=Firestone%20Dariel%20Henderson |title=Johnson v. Johnson|publisher=Knopf |isbn=9780394560434 | access-date=July 14, 2021|via=Google Books}}<br>- {{cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org|title=New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995 |website=[[FamilySearch]]|access-date=July 14, 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> |
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Bertram died July 12, 2021, in [[West Palm Beach]], Florida after deterioration of his health.<ref name=obit/> Diana died on February 12, 2023, in West Palm Beach at the age of 91.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Eric |title=Accomplished Horsewoman Firestone Dies at 91|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/266630/accomplished-horsewoman-firestone-dies-at-91|work=BloodHorse |access-date=15 February 2023|date=14 February 2023}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Bertram and Diana Firestone}} |
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{{John Seward Johnson II|state=collapsed}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Firestone, Bertram And Diana}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Firestone, Bertram And Diana}} |
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[[Category:1931 births]] |
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[[Category:1932 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American sports businesspeople]] |
[[Category:American sports businesspeople]] |
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[[Category:American racehorse owners and breeders]] |
[[Category:American racehorse owners and breeders]] |
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[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]] |
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]] |
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[[Category:Owners of Kentucky Derby winners]] |
[[Category:Owners of Kentucky Derby winners]] |
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[[Category:Married couples]] |
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[[Category:Robert Wood Johnson family]] |
[[Category:Robert Wood Johnson family]] |
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[[Category:People from Upperville, Virginia]] |
[[Category:People from Upperville, Virginia]] |
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{{US-horseracing-bio-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 17:46, 14 October 2023
Bertram Robert Firestone (August 18, 1931 – July 12, 2021) and Diana Melville Johnson Firestone (January 26, 1932 – February 12, 2023) of Newstead Farm in Upperville, Virginia were major owner/breeders of Thoroughbred equestrian and flat racing horses. They were voted the 1980 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner[1] and in 1982 were inducted in the Virginia Thoroughbred Association Hall of Fame.[2] They are former owners of Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park in Florida.[3] Their Genuine Risk was known for winning the 1980 Kentucky Derby.
Early life
[edit]
Bertram Firestone was a highly successful industrial real estate developer.[4] Diana Johnson is the daughter of John Seward Johnson I and Ruth Dill. One of the couple's six children, her paternal grandfather, Robert Wood Johnson I, was the founder of the health-related products manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson.[5] Her maternal grandfather, Colonel Thomas Melville Dill, was a prominent Bermudian soldier, lawyer and politician.[6]
Thoroughbred racing
[edit]The Firestones raced horses in the United States and in Europe. Bertram Firestone bought the thoroughbred Ridin' Easy in 1966 from a Keeneland sale for $15,000 and in 1969 won the Fashion Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Polly Drummond Stakes at the Delaware Park Racetrack.[7][4]
Bertram bought the colt King's Company for 35,000 guineas, that won the Irish 2,000 Guineas Turf Classic in May 1971 at the Curragh Racecourse. The horse went on to win the Cork and Orrery Stakes at the Royal Ascot in 1972.[8][9]
Bertram bought the Catoctin Stud farm in Waterford, Virginia, in 1973. In 1991, he and Diana acquired the Newstead Farm in Upperville, Virginia. For racing in Europe, they operated the 1,200 acre Gilltown Stud farm in Kilcullen, County Kildare, Ireland near the famous Curragh, which they sold in 1989 to the Aga Khan IV for $14.2 million.[9]
Among their many successes in Thoroughbred racing, in 1980, their Hall of Fame inductee Genuine Risk[10] became only the second filly to ever win the Kentucky Derby.[11]
They also bred and raced Secretariat's son, General Assembly, whose Saratoga track record time in winning the 1979 Travers Stakes stood until 2016. Trained by Dermot Weld, the Firestones' Blue Wind won the 1981 Epsom Oaks and Flash of Steel won the 1986 Irish 2000 Guineas. In November 1982, they won the Japan Cup with 3-year-old colt Half Iced.[12] They were the breeders of Vintage Crop that won Australia's Melbourne Cup in 1993.[9]
In 1983, they were honored by the Keeneland Association with its Mark of Distinction for their contribution to Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry.[13]
Marriage and children
[edit]Bertram married Diana in 1973. They were each previously divorced with three children by a previous marriage.[14] Firestone had been married twice before his marriage to Diana, to Lynn Belnap in 1955 and to Dariel Henderson in 1962.[15]
Bertram died July 12, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Florida after deterioration of his health.[4] Diana died on February 12, 2023, in West Palm Beach at the age of 91.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Eclipse Awards at the TRA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-22. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ Virginia Thoroughbred Association Archived February 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bert and Diana Firestone at the NTRA Archived September 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Mitchell, Eric (July 12, 2021). "Prominent Owner/Breeder Bert Firestone Dies at 89". BloodHorse. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Michael Santoli (September 8, 2008). "The Market's Finest". Barron's. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY: Captain T. M. Dill, Bermuda Militia Artillery, to be temporary Major. Dated 30th March, 1916, The London Gazette, 28 March 1916. Supplement: 29525. Page: 339.
- ^ "Owner Firestone Purchase Filly For Bargin $15,000". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. June 3, 1969. p. 31. Retrieved July 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Longshot Deceit Wins; Drumtop Cracks Record". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. Hera;d Wire Services. May 16, 1971. p. 82. Retrieved September 29, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone". London/New York: Sotheby's. September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Archived June 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Palm Beach Post. September 4, 1981 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pP4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1MwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1471,2099339&dq=genuine+risk&hl=en.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)[dead link] - ^ "Half Iced charges to Japan Cup". News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida. November 29, 1982. p. 30. Retrieved September 29, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mark of Distinction" (PDF). Keeneland. March 20, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "Three Years Ago". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. April 30, 1976. p. 73. Retrieved September 29, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Goldsmith, Barbara (1987). Johnson v. Johnson. Knopf. ISBN 9780394560434. Retrieved July 14, 2021 – via Google Books.
- "New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995". FamilySearch. Retrieved July 14, 2021. - ^ Mitchell, Eric (14 February 2023). "Accomplished Horsewoman Firestone Dies at 91". BloodHorse. Retrieved 15 February 2023.