Blue Chip Farms' William S. Brown Dies

December 08, 2008

William S. Brown, former president and general manager of Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, N.Y., died Saturday, Dec. 6, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was 81.

The son of Karl and Jeanette Brown, he was born at home in Lebanon, Ohio, on Nov. 10, 1927. He was introduced to harness racing by his grandfather, Sam Snider, who was trainer and farm manager for the King Stock Farm in Kings Mills, Ohio. His professional career in the sport began in 1942 when he was 15 years old, going on the road to work with racing stables. He eventually worked in the stables of noted trainers Fred Egan and Frank Ervin.

Mr. Brown was working in the Ervin stable when he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He was stationed in Italy with the engineers building barracks and ammunition pads. He returned home in the fall of �52 and later returned to work for Ervin, who had become the head trainer at Castleton Farm. It was at Castleon that Mr. Brown met his wife, Lydia, who lived in Versailles, Ky., and worked in the Castleton office.

When Francis McKinzie resigned as farm manager at Castleton in the fall of 1958 and Earl Teater was named the farm�s general manager, Mr. Brown accepted the position of manager of the Standardbred division, supervising such stallions as Bret Hanover, Good Time, Race Time, and Victory Song.

Mr. Brown made a major move in 1971 by accepting the position of general manager of Blue Chip Farms, a 700-acre breeding operation that had been recently started by Oscar Kimelman and his family. During his 26-year tenure he guided the careers of such stallions as the great Most Happy Fella, Precious Fella, On The Road Again, Meadow Road, and Magical Mike.

Mr. Brown was also active in many organizations during his career, including holding directorships with the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Goshen Historic Track, and the Harness Horse Breeders of New York. His achievements and commitments to the industry were recognized internationally by his induction into the Harness Racing Hall Of Fame in 1998.

Mr. Brown was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Lydia. Survivors include his three sons: Steve Brown, Rock Hill, NY (Stallion Manager-Blue Chip Farms); Mark Brown, Palmyra, Va., (Vice Chairman-Virginia Racing Commission); Daniel Ulrich, Lebanon, Ohio; and daughter, Jean Brown, Wallkill, NY (V.P. of Blue Chip Farms); and five grandchildren, Matthew Brown, Samuel Brown, Justin Brown, Ryan Ulrich, and Rani Ulrich.

There will be a Memorial visitation and service on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1-4 pm. at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, 16575 Carey Rd., Westfield, IN 46074, or the Shawangunk Fire Department, 2150 Brunswyck Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589.

« Back