Edward A. Neloy
Encyclopedia
Edward Albert "Eddie" Neloy (May 15, 1924 - May, 1971) was an American Thoroughbred
racehorse
trainer
. At age fourteen, he began working at a racetrack then joined the United States Army
during World War II
. During the intense action in the Italian Campaign
following Operation Shingle
, Neloy was seriously wounded in Anzio
and lost an eye.
When the war ended, Neloy returned to work in the horse racing industry and as a trainer in 1945 won the first race of a successful career that lasted until his death in 1971. In the mid 1950s he trained for Maine Chance Farm
and in 1964 was voted the National Turf Writers Trainer of the Year
following an outstanding season that included Gedney Farms' outstanding colt, Gun Bow
.
In 1966, Eddie Neloy was chosen by the Phipps family
to replace the retiring Bill Winfrey
as their head trainer. Neloy was responsible for conditioning the horses of Gladys Mills Phipps'
Wheatley Stable
, those of her son, Ogden Phipps
, and her grandson, Dinny Phipps
. In his first year, Neloy met with outstanding success, including winning thirteen straight races with Buckpasser
who was voted American Horse of the Year honors. During the five years he was with the Phipps family until his death in 1971, Neloy would be the U.S. leading money-winning trainer
for 1966 through 1968 and the trainer of five Champions
.
Eddie Neloy died suddenly of a heart attack in 1971. His accomplishments in Thoroughbred racing were recognized in 1983 when he was posthumously inducted in the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. At age fourteen, he began working at a racetrack then joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the intense action in the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
following Operation Shingle
Operation Shingle
Operation Shingle , during the Italian Campaign of World War II, was an Allied amphibious landing against Axis forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno, Italy. The operation was commanded by Major General John P. Lucas and was intended to outflank German forces of the Winter Line and enable an...
, Neloy was seriously wounded in Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
and lost an eye.
When the war ended, Neloy returned to work in the horse racing industry and as a trainer in 1945 won the first race of a successful career that lasted until his death in 1971. In the mid 1950s he trained for Maine Chance Farm
Maine Chance Farm
Maine Chance Farm was an American Thoroughbred horse racing stable in Lexington, Kentucky owned by cosmetics tycoon, Elizabeth Arden.Elizabeth Arden raced under the nom de course "Mr. Nightingale" until 1943 when she adopted the name Maine Chance Farm from her health spa in Mount Vernon, Maine...
and in 1964 was voted the National Turf Writers Trainer of the Year
National Turf Writers Association
The National Turf Writers Association is an American association of journalists, columnists and other writers involved with reporting on the horse racing industry...
following an outstanding season that included Gedney Farms' outstanding colt, Gun Bow
Gun Bow
Gun Bow was an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse. Owned and bred by cosmetics tycoon Elizabeth Arden at her Maine Chance Farm, Gun Bow was sired by Gun Shot, a son of Hyperion, the 1933 Epsom Derby winner and a six-time leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland. He was out of the mare...
.
In 1966, Eddie Neloy was chosen by the Phipps family
Phipps family
The Henry Phipps family of the United States was founded by Henry Phipps, Jr., the son of an English shoemaker who emigrated in the early part of the 19th century to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before settling in Pittsburgh. When a child, Henry Phipps was a friend and neighbor to Andrew Carnegie...
to replace the retiring Bill Winfrey
William C. Winfrey
William C. "Bill" Winfrey was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer. Bill Winfrey was born Colin Dickard but after the passing of his father was adopted by Hall of Fame trainer, G. Carey Winfrey...
as their head trainer. Neloy was responsible for conditioning the horses of Gladys Mills Phipps'
Gladys Mills Phipps
Gladys Livingston Mills Phipps was an United States socialite, sportsperson, and a thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder who began the Phipps family dynasty in American horse racing...
Wheatley Stable
Wheatley Stable
Wheatley Stable was the nom de course for the thoroughbred horse racing partnership formed by Gladys Mills Phipps and her brother, Ogden L. Mills. The horses were raised at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky.-History:...
, those of her son, Ogden Phipps
Ogden Phipps
Ogden Phipps was an American stockbroker, court tennis champion and Hall of Fame member, thoroughbred horse racing executive and owner/breeder, and an art collector and philanthropist...
, and her grandson, Dinny Phipps
Ogden Mills Phipps
Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps is a retired American financier and prominent Thoroughbred racehorse industry executive and a Thoroughbred owner/breeder...
. In his first year, Neloy met with outstanding success, including winning thirteen straight races with Buckpasser
Buckpasser
Buckpasser was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won he won nine of his eleven race starts for international record winnings for a two-year-old of $586,090. Buckpasser was leading broodmare sire in 1983, 1984 and 1989....
who was voted American Horse of the Year honors. During the five years he was with the Phipps family until his death in 1971, Neloy would be the U.S. leading money-winning trainer
United States Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by earnings
There is recognition for the United States Champion Thoroughbred Trainer by earnings but no formal award is given to the trainer in Thoroughbred flat racing whose horses earned the most purse money in North American Thoroughbred racing....
for 1966 through 1968 and the trainer of five Champions
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
.
Eddie Neloy died suddenly of a heart attack in 1971. His accomplishments in Thoroughbred racing were recognized in 1983 when he was posthumously inducted in the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
.