George Steinbrenner, thoroughbred breeder and owner, dead at 80

Most of the stories covering the death of George Steinbrenner will focus on his time as owner of the New York Yankees while neglecting the fact that Steinbrenner was a longtime thoroughbred owner and breeder.  In a sharp contrast to his profile as a baseball owner, Steinbrenner's racing operation was far from a Yankees-like dynasty.  Like many owners in this sport, even prominent ones, he had his share of winners and losers.  But even though Steinbrenner's horses never won a Triple Crown race or a Breeders' Cup race, they were fairly successful at the graded stakes level.

Steinbrenner's racing operation, Kinsman Stables, is located on a 860-acre farm in Ocala, Florida.  

During his almost 40 years of involvement within the thoroughbred industry, Steinbrenner served as the director and president of Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners Association.

Below are some of the horses that Steinbrenner owned or co-owned during his lifetime:

• Sweet Symphony, winner of the Grade 1 Alabama.
• Majestic Warrior, winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful.
• Dream Supreme, winner of the Grade 1 Ballerina and the Grade 1 Test.
• Spinning Round, winner of the Grade 1 Ballerina and the Grade 2 Alcibiades Stakes.
• Bellamy Road, winner of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial and the morning line favorite for the 2005 Kentucky Derby (finished 7th).
• Eternal Prince, winner of the Grade 1 Wood Memorial and the Grade 2 Gotham.
• Buy the Firm, winner of the Grade 1 Top Flight; Grade 2 Long Look; and Grade 3 Next Move, Athenia, and Carousel Handicaps.
• Acceptable, winner of the Grade 3 Kentucky Cub Classic; 2nd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Grade 2 Blue Grass and Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes.
• Steve's Friend, winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby; 3rd in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby; and 5th in the 1977 Kentucky Derby, the best finish for Steinbrenner in his six Derby starts.