Helen Looney, 81, died at her family farm in Harrington, Del., on Nov. 28. Looney, who owned more than 120 horses during her five decades in harness racing, was the wife of the late trainer/driver Elmer Looney and played a major behind-the-scenes role in the success of the Looney Stable.
Many considered her the backbone of the stable, having been a constant influence and force in decisions and in the day-to-day operations in the barn. At one time she managed an 80-horse stable for her husband.
In 1956, Helen and Elmer took all of their money out of the bank, $350, went to the Harrisburg sale and bought a horse named Reggie Scott. Little did they know this diamond in the rough would become a free-legged pacer competing in open competition and spring them into a long and wonderful career in harness racing.
The Looneys raced everywhere in the Northeast, from Green Mountain to the Meadowlands to Dover Downs. Some of the best horses she owned included open pacers Maxey Diamond and Pip Squeak, as well as, stand out mares Savory Hanover and Magic Sign and the top trotter Lost Nickel.
No one loved this sport more than Helen. She planned to be at the races in time to put her $2 down on a Daily Double and didn’t want to leave until the last race crossed the finish line. If she couldn’t be there live, then Looney was watching whatever track she could get through her satellite.
Looney was the beloved mother of driver Jo Ann Looney and mother-in-law of driver/trainer Jim King Jr. She is also survived by her granddaughter Heather Vitale-Moffett.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the adoption organization Horse Lovers United, PO Box 2744, Salisbury, MD 21802.
|
Home :: News Archive :: Racing Reports :: Sale Reports :: Calendars :: Guide Directory :: Contact The Staff
Advertising Rates & Information For: Horseman And Fair World Magazine :: HarnessRacing.com :: Harness Racing Weekend Preview
Website Design by eLink Design, Inc. A Lexington Web Design Company :: Hosted by Intelliwire, LLC, An Offsite Backup Company
Site contents may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
© 2012 Horseman Publishing Co., Lexington KY, All Rights Reserved
Advertising Rates & Information For: Horseman And Fair World Magazine :: HarnessRacing.com :: Harness Racing Weekend Preview
Website Design by eLink Design, Inc. A Lexington Web Design Company :: Hosted by Intelliwire, LLC, An Offsite Backup Company
Site contents may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
© 2012 Horseman Publishing Co., Lexington KY, All Rights Reserved