A conversation has renewed my interest in trying to track down race photos of my old horse. He raced 1976 - 1979, with his only wins coming in '76 and '77. Did they regularly take pictures back then on tracks? I’m wondering if it is even something I should pursue. If it is, are there any suggestions on where to being looking?
I appreciate any help you may be able to provide!
The 70’s may seem like the stone age to those who were born after the fact. But we did put people on the moon in the late 60’s. Yes, win pictures have been taken petty much since the camera was invented. Might have been one of the first regular paying jobs for early photographers.
First you have to know the racetrack the horse won at and the exact date and race. Though you may be able to dig it up by just knowing the race track and horse’s name Every race track may have a different contractual arrangement with their track photographer but IME the pictures are the property of the track photographer. So, if the racetrack still exists and they have record of who was the photographer at the time they may also have a contract number for the person and or family. If the person is not still alive you may be SOL.
To get the track and races Equibase http://www.equibase.com/ may go back that far.
Enter the horse’s name and see what happens. Then call the racetrack.
Good luck.
Thank you for the advice! His records are on Equibase, which is how the conversation came up. It looks like one of the tracks he won at is gone now (Garden State), but there does appear to still be an Atlantic City Race Course. I guess I will start there!
Unfortunately Atlantic City Racecourse was bought by Greenwood Racing Corp I believe in the late 80’s. The “Racing” in their name is a bit of a misnomer because they really don’t care much about the racing end of their business interests. Just the casino and betting side. They only run a few days a year at Atlantic City so as to keep their gaming and OTB (off track betting) license. They’ve sold off and developed all of the property they were allowed to around the racecourse. And have pretty much put 0 $ in to upkeep of what is left.
A while back I represented a group of show horse people who wanted to buy the facility and turn it into a world class equestrian center. Greenwood Racing was very difficult to deal with. Jerks basically too bad it would have been a really great thing for the sport horse world and the area. They have done nothing with it since but loose money. They are still hoping on getting the zoning changed.
Hope you have better luck dealing with them then I did.
If you know the name of the trainer and that person is still with us you might be able to track them down. Most trainers keep all of their win pictures.
Check with Bill Denver of Equi-Photo regarding Garden State and Atlantic City.
Bill Denver and another gentleman who’s name I don’t recall were the photographers for the NJ and Philly circuit for decades. The other gentleman passed away several years ago and the family did not save his negatives. But Bill Denver is still active and was extremely helpful when I was looking for win photos from the late 80s/early 90s at NJ tracks.
It can’t hurt to ask…
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The 70’s may seem like the stone age to those who were born after the fact. But we did put people on the moon in the late 60’s. Yes, win pictures have been taken petty much since the camera was invented. Might have been one of the first regular paying jobs for early photographers.
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Ha! that’s what I was thinking. To me, very old photos means the win photos I have of Man’ O War’s grandaughter, Sky Battle. Owned by Buck Heller from Rose Tree Hunt Club.
Okay, okay “moderately older photos” then! I did see a brief glimpse of the '70s, but not much of them. It feels old to me!
I appreciate the help - Bill Denver replied very quickly with the number for the daughter of the photographer at those tracks - last name Bassing. Do you recall if that is the one whose family did not keep the negatives? I’d hate to bother her if it is going to be a dead end.
I don’t recall that last name… It’s been years, though. It’s worth a shot!
LOL I was just about to start a thread…I just bought a win photo from 1971 off Shopgoodwill. It’s from September 10, 1071 at Timonium. Henny Jr., owned by Margaret Smith and trained by William Smith, won with Luigi Gino up over King Rumba and Swinging Gypsy.
And as for “back then”…my oldest collectible win pic is from Beulah Park–Hot Dice with G. Srpy up, for trainer R. Crees, from May 29, 1944. Found it at the local antique mall.
I have a win pic from Atlantic City from a mare I adored that was in 1993 IIRC. Ill have to go look and see what company took it.
Boston Banker, if you have an idea of year and possible race history. Maybe I can help you. Name of horse would be helpful. I’ve am at this track everyday and have access to photos. Even know it’s closed. I’m friends with a lot of the ole timers who worked here.
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