George D. Widener Jr.

George Dunton Widener Jr. (March 11, 1889 – December 8, 1971) was an American thoroughbred racing owner and breeder. He raised 102 stakes winners, won the Travers Stakes a record-tying five times, and was the first person designated an "Exemplar of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Early life

Widener (left) with his mother Eleanor Elkins Widener and architect Horace Trumbauer in Harvard Yard during the planning for Widener Library. Widener was born on March 11, 1889, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into the wealthy Widener family. He was the younger son of George Dunton Widener and Eleanor Elkins Widener, and brother to Harry Elkins Widener and Eleanor Widener Dixon.

Horse racing

Greatly influenced by his uncle Joseph E. Widener, he became involved in thoroughbred horse racing. He purchased a portion of Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, which became known as Old Kenney Farm. He bred horses and raised 102 stakes winners including seven champions. He won the Travers Stakes five times, tying him for the record of most wins. He was the owner of Eight Thirty who was entered into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1994. His stakes winners included Evening Out, High Fleet, Jaipur, Jamestown, Platter, Stefanita, and What a Treat. In 1971, he was the first to be named an "Exemplar of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. daughter of Henry T. Sloane and Jessie Robbins, and became stepfather to Diana Dodge.

He was the first Widener accepted into the Philadelphia Club.

Widener died on December 8, 1971 and was interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. He left the farm and his personal fortune to his nephew, Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr.

Legacy In 1980, an addition to the New Bolton Center veterinary hospital was renamed the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals.