Edward J. Yowell
Encyclopedia
Edward J. "Eddie" Yowell May 14, 1915 - October 29, 1991) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing
trainer
. Widely respected in the industry, his obituary in the Ocala Star-Banner
was titled "Yowell leaves behind legacy of integrity."
A native of Pennsylvania
, Eddie Yowell began his career in Thoroughbred racing in 1933 as a jockey
. Following a successful career in which he was a leading jockey at New York's
Empire City Race Track
, he remained in the industry as a trainer. In 1951, at Monmouth Park Racetrack
in Oceanport, New Jersey
where he would become a two-time leading trainer, he notably won the first of his two Salvator Mile Handicap
s with Call Over, his best runner to that time. Yowell's second Salvator Mile win came in 1963 during his best decade in racing. Yowell also had considerable success with Executioner whose wins included the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap
.
for owner Zelda Cohen, the wife of Ben Cohen, Secretary-Treasurer of Pimlico Race Course
. At age three, Hail To All won the 1965 Jersey Derby
, Travers Stakes
. He ran fifth in the Kentucky Derby
, third in the Preakness Stakes
, and gave Yowell his first U.S. Triple Crown
win in the Belmont Stakes
. In 1971, Eddie Yowell earned his second Belmont Stakes win with Pass Catcher
.
Among the other notable horses Eddie Yowell trained was Merry Ruler
, a multiple stakes winner in the early 1960s who equaled the Aqueduct
track record in winning the Carter Handicap
in May 1962 then in July set a new Aqueduct track record while winning the Gravesend Handicap
.
, in the 1960s Eddie Yowell and Maryland
horseman Arnold Wilcox established an 800 acres (3.2 km²) breeding and training facility at Ocala, Florida
. They named it Oak Crest Farm and raced horses under the banner of Oak Crest Stable. A substantial operation, in addition to living quarters, barns and sheds, the partners built a one-mile (1.6 km) training track that remains the property's centerpiece to this day.
Through various owners over the years, the Ocala farm has been the breaking and training ground for ten Champions
and two winners of American Horse of the Year honors. Yowell and Wilcox sold the property in 1977 to Robert Murty and his brothers who in 1983 sold half of the acreage, including the training track, to Dr. Jim and Sally Hill and their partners, Mickey and Karen Taylor. The raced under the name, Equusequity Stable. The Taylors are best known as the owners of U.S. Triple Crown
winner, Seattle Slew
. In 1992 the property became part of Allen Paulson's
Brookside Farms operations. He sold it in April 2000 to Roy S. Lerman who renamed it Lambholm South. On July 14, 2006, Lerman sold the property to Ohio
businessman Larry Roberts who uses it as an American Quarter Horse
breeding and training operation. http://www.robertsquarterhorses.com/
Health problems forced Eddie Yowell to retire in the summer of 1991. He died a few months later on October 29 from cancer
.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. Widely respected in the industry, his obituary in the Ocala Star-Banner
Star-Banner
The Star-Banner is the daily newspaper in Ocala, Florida, United States and serves Marion County and the surrounding communities. Owned by the New York Times Company, the Star-Banner has a daily circulation of about 43,000, and is the 19th largest newspaper in the state of Florida.- History :The...
was titled "Yowell leaves behind legacy of integrity."
A native of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Eddie Yowell began his career in Thoroughbred racing in 1933 as a jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
. Following a successful career in which he was a leading jockey at New York's
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
Empire City Race Track
Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers Raceway, founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track, is a one-half-mile standardbred harness racing dirt track and New York state-approved slots racino located at the intersection of Central Park Avenue and Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers, New York near the New York City border...
, he remained in the industry as a trainer. In 1951, at Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack
Monmouth Park Racetrack is an American race track for thoroughbred horse racing in Oceanport, New Jersey. It is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is operated under a five-year lease as a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.Monmouth Park's marquee event...
in Oceanport, New Jersey
Oceanport, New Jersey
Oceanport is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,832.Oceanport was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1920, from portions of Eatontown Township , based on the results of a...
where he would become a two-time leading trainer, he notably won the first of his two Salvator Mile Handicap
Salvator Mile Handicap
The Salvator Mile Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the first week of July at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt at a distance of one mile . A Grade III event, it offers a purse of...
s with Call Over, his best runner to that time. Yowell's second Salvator Mile win came in 1963 during his best decade in racing. Yowell also had considerable success with Executioner whose wins included the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap
Metropolitan Handicap
The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile," is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the last week of May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile .The Met Mile was first...
.
Triple Crown wins
In 1964, Eddie Yowell trained the colt Hail To AllHail To All
Hail To All was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by Hail To Reason, out of the mare, Ellen's Best, who was in turn sired by War Relic, son of the great Man o' War....
for owner Zelda Cohen, the wife of Ben Cohen, Secretary-Treasurer of Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
. At age three, Hail To All won the 1965 Jersey Derby
Jersey Derby
The Jersey Derby is a $100,000 American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in late July/early August at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. Since 1993 it has been raced on grass at a distance of 1 1/16 miles....
, Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
. He ran fifth in the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, third in the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
, and gave Yowell his first U.S. Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
win in the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. In 1971, Eddie Yowell earned his second Belmont Stakes win with Pass Catcher
Pass Catcher
Pass Catcher was an United States Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 103rd running of the Belmont Stakes. The bay colt was bred and raced by Peter Kissel's October House Farm. His sire was All Hands and his dam was La Grue...
.
Among the other notable horses Eddie Yowell trained was Merry Ruler
Merry Ruler
Merry Ruler was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed successfully in the United States. A great grandson of the very important sire, Nearco, he was raced by Harry Freylinghuysen, owner of Merrybrook Farm in Far Hills, New Jersey....
, a multiple stakes winner in the early 1960s who equaled the Aqueduct
Aqueduct Racetrack
Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...
track record in winning the Carter Handicap
Carter Handicap
The Carter Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early April at Aqueduct Racetrack. Open to horses three-years-old and up, it is raced over a distance of seven furlongs....
in May 1962 then in July set a new Aqueduct track record while winning the Gravesend Handicap
Gravesend Handicap
The Gravesend Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York late in the year. In its 50th running in December 2009, the Gravesend will be downgraded from a Grade III event to ungraded status. This race is for three-year-olds and up and set at a...
.
Oak Crest Farm
A pioneer for what has become a major industry in Marion County, FloridaMarion County, Florida
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 316,183. Its county seat is Ocala....
, in the 1960s Eddie Yowell and Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
horseman Arnold Wilcox established an 800 acres (3.2 km²) breeding and training facility at Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
. They named it Oak Crest Farm and raced horses under the banner of Oak Crest Stable. A substantial operation, in addition to living quarters, barns and sheds, the partners built a one-mile (1.6 km) training track that remains the property's centerpiece to this day.
Through various owners over the years, the Ocala farm has been the breaking and training ground for ten Champions
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
and two winners of American Horse of the Year honors. Yowell and Wilcox sold the property in 1977 to Robert Murty and his brothers who in 1983 sold half of the acreage, including the training track, to Dr. Jim and Sally Hill and their partners, Mickey and Karen Taylor. The raced under the name, Equusequity Stable. The Taylors are best known as the owners of U.S. Triple Crown
United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
In the United States, the "Triple Crown" is usually the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a series of three Thoroughbred horse races for three-year-old horses run in May and early June of each year consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.While Daily Racing Form...
winner, Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew was an American Thoroughbred race horse who won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in 1977, the tenth of eleven horses to accomplish the feat. He remains the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S...
. In 1992 the property became part of Allen Paulson's
Allen E. Paulson
Allen Eugene Paulson was an American aviation entrepreneur, philanthropist, thoroughbred racehorse breeder and owner, and a self-made multi-millionaire.-Business career in aviation:Born in Clinton, Iowa, Allen E...
Brookside Farms operations. He sold it in April 2000 to Roy S. Lerman who renamed it Lambholm South. On July 14, 2006, Lerman sold the property to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
businessman Larry Roberts who uses it as an American Quarter Horse
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
breeding and training operation. http://www.robertsquarterhorses.com/
Health problems forced Eddie Yowell to retire in the summer of 1991. He died a few months later on October 29 from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.