Frances A. Genter

Frances A. Genter (February 17, 1898 – November 24, 1992) was a major figure in American Thoroughbred horse racing. She is best known as the owner of Unbridled, the 1990 American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and winner of the 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic.^[1][2] Part of horse racing lore took place at the 1990 Kentucky Derby when trainer Carl Nafzger called the race aloud to the petite 92-year-old Mrs. Genter because her eyesight was failing and she could not see her horse headed down the stretch en route to winning the race. The staff of Blood-Horse Publications selected the scene for its book Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments.^[3]

Frances A. Genter
Born	February 17, 1898 Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, United States
Died	November 24, 1992(1992-11-24) (aged 94) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Resting place	Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Education	University of Minnesota
Occupation	Racehorse owner/breeder
Known for	1990 Kentucky Derby stretch call by her trainer, Carl Nafzger; Mrs. Genter was unable to see her horse, Unbridled, winning the race due to her failing eyesight
Spouse(s)	1) Harold Genter 2) Earl Knudtson
Children	Jean, Frances, Harold Jr.
Honors	Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner (1990) NTWA Mr. Fitz Award (1991) Canterbury Park Hall of Fame (1996) Calder Race Course Hall of Fame (1998) Frances A. Genter Stakes at Calder Race Course Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Assoc. Hall of Fame

Born on a farm near Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, while in her teens the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She and her husband, Harold, became involved in the sport of horse racing in 1940. After her husband's death in 1981 she continued buying, breeding and racing Thoroughbreds with her son-in-law, Bentley Smith, managing the operation for her.

Beyond her racing success with Unbridled, over the years Mrs. Genter won numerous top races in the United States including the 1986 Breeder's Cup Sprint with the colt Smile.^[4] Among her other top runners was My Dear Girl, voted the 1959 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.^[5]

Mrs. Genter was voted the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner in 1990 and the following year received the Mr. Fitz Award from the National Turf Writers Association that is awarded to an individual who most exemplifies the spirit of horse racing.^[6]

External links

• Video of Carl Nafzger calling the 1990 Kentucky Derby to Frances Genter on YouTube

References

1. "After 50 Years, Her First Derby Victory". New York Times, Section 8, page 5. 1990-05-06. Retrieved 2009-09-27.
2. "Hall of Champions - Unbridled". New York Times, Section 1, page 54. 1990-10-27. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
3. Publications, Blood-Horse (2006). Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments. ISBN 9781581501391.
4. "1986 Breeders' Cup". Breeders' Cup World Championships. 1986-11-01. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
5. "Eclipse Awards". NTRA. 2019-11-10. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
6. "Frances Genter-Knudtson, Owner And Breeder of Horses, Dies at 94". New York Times, Section 1, page 54. 1992-11-29. Retrieved 2009-09-27.