Alfred G. Vanderbilt II

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Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Jr. (September 22, 1912 - November 12, 1999) was a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family, a son of the first Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt who died a hero in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. His mother, Margaret Emerson, was one of America's wealthiest women and most sought-after hostesses, operating at least seven large estates around the country. His grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, had been Ameria's most revered businessman; his grandfather, William Henry Vanderbilt had been the richest man in the world. "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) started the family fortune in shipping and railroads. He was founder of the New York Central System and builder of Grand Central Terminal in New York.

Of American parents, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Jr. nonetheless was born in London. His mother, Margaret Emerson, gave him a 600 acre (2.4 km²) horse farm in Glyndon Maryland called Sagamore Farm near Leon Schwartz's house for his 21st birthday, and it was in horse racing that he made his mark. The Vanderbilt family had by then given up control of most of their former railroad interests. Alfred G. Vandrbilt was President of Belmont Racetrack in New York and was the principle owner and President of Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, MD. When he was called into service for World War II, he captained a PT Boat in the South Pacific, earning the Silver Star for bravery. On his return, to his lasting disappointment he was not offered his old jobs again but he returned to racing with a vengeance.

[edit] Thoroughbred horse racing

The owner of Sagamore Farm in rural Baltimore County, Maryland, Vanderbilt had four Eclipse Award-winning horses. His best known champions were Discovery, Bed o'Roses, and Native Dancer, all of whom were inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He also raced Find, Social Outcast and others, and was famous for arranging the epic 1938 Pimlico Special match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral at the Pimlico Race Course (Baltimore, Maryland), of which he was both president and owner.

At different times, Alfred G. Vanderbilt headed the New York Racing Association and United States Jockey Club. He was voted "Man who has done the most for racing" by the Jockey Club five times. On the last occasion, it was awarded to him posthumously. His son, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt III accepted it for him.

Five of his six children by three marriages survived him.