Weld tribute to Melbourne Cup and Classic-winning owner-breeder Bert Firestone

Lifelong horseman, accomplished owner-breeder and Eclipse Award leading owner of 1980 Bertram Robert Firestone has died aged 89 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Firestone's association with horses started in the show ring. He attended the New York Military Academy, where he was on the jumping team, and also the University of Virginia.

"I think horses were everything in his life," said Firestone's son, Matthew.

Firestone and wife Diana bred Vintage Crop, the first European winner of the Melbourne Cup, trained by Dermot Weld, who also saddled their Flash Of Steel to win the 1986 Irish 2,000 Guineas and Blue Wind to become a dual Oaks heroine in 1981.

Weld reflected on Tuesday: "Bert and his wife Diana were wonderful people to deal with and train for. They were both extremely knowledgeable and immensely enjoyed coming to Ireland to see their horses race, especially during the summer months.

"I trained several very nice horses for them, among them the likes of Flash Of Steel, who won the 1986 Irish 2,000 Guineas under Mick Kinane, and Blue Wind, my first Classic winner who won the Epsom and Irish Oaks in 1981 when she was Europe's champion three-year-old filly.

"They also bred my first Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop and had Theatrical in training with me during his first two seasons."

Weld added: "Royal Ascot was a real highlight for Bert and Diana in particular. They really enjoyed it every year and I was delighted to train winners for them at the meeting with horses such as Red Alert in the Jersey Stakes, Nanticious in the Ribblesdale Stakes and Day Is Done in the Norfolk Stakes."

After graduation from college in 1954, Bert Firestone worked for a New York brokerage firm and then formed Firestone Properties, a company that planned, built and leased commercial and industrial properties.

Firestone bought his first thoroughbred yearling at Fasig-Tipton's 1966 Saratoga select yearling sale under the name Chance Hill Farm. He would find success in racing early when he won his first stakes in 1969 with a Ridan filly named Ridin' Easy, who won the Fashion Stakes at Aqueduct and the Polly Drummond Stakes at Delaware Park.

Firestone also bought yearlings overseas, acquiring a colt named King's Company for 35,000gns who went on to win the 1971 Irish 2,000 Guineas and was later syndicated for $250,000 to stand at Gilltown Stud.

Historic Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop (left) was bred by the FirestonesCredit: Joe Mann

According to a 1980 feature in The Blood-Horse, Firestone later bought Gilltown Stud from the Aga Khan and adjacent property to create a 1,200-acre farm in Ireland.

In 1973 he married Diana Johnson, granddaughter of Johnson & Johnson founder Robert Wood Johnson and also an accomplished equestrian with a lifelong passion for horses. Together they bought a 1,400-acre farm in Virginia, which they named Catoctin after a creek running through the property. They also would later own Big Sink Farm near Lexington.

Teaming up with trainer LeRoy Jolley, the Firestones found success at the highest level. A $45,000 What a Pleasure colt they bought at Saratoga grew to be Honest Pleasure, a three-time Grade 1 winner at two and the 1975 champion two-year-old colt. At three, Honest Pleasure won the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes and was second in the Kentucky Derby. He went on to win the Travers Stakes.

In 1980, the Firestones made racing history with their champion three-year-old filly Genuine Risk, who became the second filly to win the Kentucky Derby. She would go on to finish second in the Preakness Stakes and second in the Belmont Stakes.

Through 2016, the Firestones campaigned 51 Graded/Group stakes winners, which included 17 Grade/Group 1 winners and five champions. Among their outstanding runners was Theatrical, a six-time Grade 1 winner and 1987 Eclipse champion grass horse that put a promising young trainer named Bill Mott on the map.

"I had a private job with them for about five years, and I could not have been treated any better," said Mott. "They were the ones who got me to New York full-time. They gave me a huge opportunity, and they sent Theatrical to me. He did more for my career than any other single horse. He was my first champion and first Breeders' Cup winner. I'm forever grateful for those opportunities."

Along with Blue Wind, the Firestones' other champions included April Run, 1981 champion three-year-old filly in France and 1982 US champion grass mare; Play It Safe, 1981 champion two-year-old filly in France; and Paradise Creek, the 1994 champion grass horse who was also trained by Mott.

As breeders, the Firestones produced 11 Graded/Group winners since 1991, including nine-time Graded stakes winner and four-time Grade 1 winner Paradise Creek. Among the top runners they bred are Grade 1 winner Shinko Lovely, Grade 1 winner Chief Honcho, and four-time Grade 1 winner Winchester.

In addition to breeding and racing, Firestone at one time was a racetrack owner.

Firestone purchased the former Calder racecourse in June 1988 for a reported $65 million. In 1989, Firestone bought Gulfstream Park from the Donn family under the name Catoctin International Racing Corp. He would sell the racetrack to the former Magna Entertainment Corp., which would later morph into The Stronach Group.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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