Murray Friedlander, a former trainer and bloodsucker agent, died on October 22. He was 98 years old.
He trained owners such as Nelson Bunker Hunt, William Haggin Perry, and the Cohen family, the owners of Pimlico. He won the Golden Gate Handicap in 1974 with Acclimatization for Hunt.
Because of his familiarity with blood in France, England, and elsewhere in Europe, Friedlander facilitated the purchase of many successful horses in the United States, including Amen II, winner of the Hollywood Derby, and winner of the race. won Del Mar Derby Daros.
Since the 1970s, he has been scouting prospects for coach Ron McAnally. Notable resulting acquisitions include Northern Spur, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 1995, and Dr Devious, bought as a birthday present for Sidney Craig to run in the 1992 Kentucky Derby. disappointing in the Derby, he was sent back to his English coach and won the Epsom Derby.
Friedlander was born and raised in Baltimore in the sights of Pimlico, where he was introduced to the sport.
He interrupted his studies at the University of North Carolina during World War II to enlist in the United States Army. He served in the Intelligence Service in China. Back at UNC, he earned a bachelor’s degree, then decided to go to Paris to study at the Sorbonne.
In France, the appeal of racing is that Friedlander works with horses in the morning, including renowned trainer Francois Mathet, and attends classes in the afternoon. He returned to the United States, where he trained himself and also spent several years as an assistant coach to James Maloney during the era of Gamely, Princessnesian, Desert Law, Bolnesian, Jacinto and Dewan in the late 1960s.
He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Susanna Friedlander.
This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse Staff.
