Trainer Harry Benson, former president of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, passed away the morning of Dec. 17. Benson was 88.
Since 1976, when digital training records begin, Benson saddled the winners of 507 races and his runners earned $6,202,624. He celebrated some of his best years of training in 2001 and 2003. In 2001 he campaigned Florida-bred Proud Man and won the Palm Beach Stakes (G3T), Everglades Stakes (G3T), and Hill Prince Stakes (G3T). In 2003, he won 26 races (27%) and captured four stakes with Barbara O'Brien and French Charmer and earned $716,257 that year. Benson saddled his last horse in 2017.
As president of the FHBPA, Benson was in the middle of some of Florida most tumultuous years regarding the awarding of winter racing dates between Gulfstream Park and Hialeah Park. He led several caravans to Tallahassee to protest bills regarding Thoroughbred issues. In 1992, Benson led a one-day strike at Gulfstream to protest legislation that would have restored state regulation of dates between Gulfstream, Hialeah, and Calder Race Course and give almost 50% of interstate takeout on horse races offered at dog tracks to the dog track operators.
"We aren't allowed to go on strike," Benson told the New York Times. "So, we're going fishing."
Funeral services are pending.
