Frances A. Genter was a major figure in American Thoroughbred

Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...

 horse racing

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

. She is best known as the owner of Unbridled

Unbridled

Unbridled was a Champion American Thoroughbred racehorse.The colt was sired by Fappiano , by Mr. Prospector, and his dam Gana Facil, by Le Fabuleux. Unbridled retired with a career record of 8 wins, 6 places and 6 shows in 24 starts, and $4,489,475 in career earnings...

, the 1990 American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and winner of the 1990 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...

 and Breeders' Cup Classic

Breeders' Cup Classic

The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...

. Part of horse racing lore took place at the 1990 Kentucky Derby when trainer Carl Nafzger

Carl Nafzger

Carl A. Nafzger is an American Hall of Fame horse trainer. Before he was involved in horseracing he was a championship Rodeo bullrider....

 called the race aloud to the petite 92-year-old Mrs. Genter because she was unable to see over the crowd as her horse headed down the stretch en route to winning the race. The staff of Blood-Horse Publications

Blood-Horse Publications

Blood-Horse Publications is an American multimedia publishing house focused on horse-related magazines.Blood-Horse Publications is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Their book-publishing arm is Eclipse Press...

 selected the scene for its book Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments. http://books.google.ca/books?id=8-3Q5fDGa2cC&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=Frances+A.+Genter&source=bl&ots=df27UA4cas&sig=Xiwn22oDSM6_7hqZYSqOO7JmST0&hl=en&ei=no-_SvuiG9Oh8Aav24SmAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=Frances%20A.%20Genter&f=false

Born on a farm near Wyalusing, Pennsylvania

Wyalusing, Pennsylvania

Wyalusing is a borough in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 564 at the 2000 census.- History :The history of Wyalusing dates back centuries and was originally known as M'chwihilusing. Before 1750 the settlement was known as Gahontoto and was home to the native...

, while in her teens the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...

. She and her husband, Harold, became involved in the sport of horse racing in 1940. After her husband's passing in 1981 she continued buying, breeding and racing Thoroughbreds with her son-in-law, Bentley Smith, managing the operation for her.

Beyond her racing success with Unbridled, over the years Mrs. Genter won numerous top races in the United States including the 1986 Breeder's Cup Sprint with the colt, Smile. Among her other top runners was My Dear Girl, voted the 1959 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

Mrs. Genter was voted the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner

Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor for racehorse owners. Created in 1971, it is part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually.Past winners: -References:* *...

 in 1990 and the following year received the Mr. Fitz Award from the National Turf Writers Association

National Turf Writers Association

The National Turf Writers Association is an American association of journalists, columnists and other writers involved with reporting on the horse racing industry...

that is awarded to an individual who most exemplifies the spirit of horse racing.