For more than half a century, photographer Bob Coglianese has witnessed the history of racing in New York, and for more than half a century he has documented that history, capturing, printing, and publishing thousands of photographs for New York Racing Association.
Coglianese died on December 16 in Boynton Beach, Fla. after a short illness. He was 88 years old.
He began photographing at the New York racetracks in 1952, as an assistant to his uncle, Mike Sirico, who had been photographing at the New York racetracks since 1920. Named photographer Official racetrack photographer in 1955, Sirico was succeeded by Coglianese in 1962, who eventually passed power to his son Adam, the current NYRA photographer.
Bob Coglian
Although he may be best known as the double in the Secretariat’s iconic Triple Crown win in the 1973 Belmont Stakes, Adam Coglianese said that when discussing his career his father “loves to talk about horses outside of the Secretariat.”
“He saw his maiden break Indigenous Dancer at the Jamaica Circuit in 1952,” said the younger Coglianese. “He’s seen Kelso win the Jockey Club Gold Cup five years in a row.”
And when his father talks about the Secretariat, it’s not about that confrontation. It’s about the photo he took of the Secretariat during a practice session in front of the Bay Shore Stakes in 1973.
Adam said: “The statue of the Secretariat in the paddock at Belmont Park was inspired by that painting. “It really shows the muscular definition of the horse.”
The Secretariat won the 1973 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
A match in the winner’s circle at Racecourse Saratoga even after he retired, Coglianese would arrive at dark while he was at work, both because he loved being on the track and because during the days of filming, developing and printing was a process. It’s a time-consuming process, and it’s a process that requires precision in the age of non-digital, non-machinery cameras.
Although jockey Frankie Dettori is known today for “flying off her horse” after winning, Coglianese may have been the first photographer to document such a victory, capturing the athlete. equestrian Avelino Gomez jumps off Bupers, 1963 Futurity Stakes winner in the winner’s ring at Aqueduct race track.
“My father took that picture with a frame,” Adam said, his voice filled with astonishment, astonishment, and respect. “He was a pioneer. He was a hard worker and he was also very tough in business. He taught me everything I knew about racing and photography. Everything I learned about photography. The pictures are all from him.”
Coglianese won two Eclipse Awards for photography in 1972 and 1980, and despite his phenomenal success, he was also humble, often refusing to be credited for his iconic photograph of Ban. secretary 31 distances ahead of his opponents.
“There was a photo booth over there and I was up there, taking the race,” he told the New York Racing Association in 2018. “I just happened to take that picture.”
His son said: “He treated him every day as if it were Belmont Stakes.
Adam and Bob Coglianese
And while racing is his life no matter what track he’s on, he has a special affection for Saratoga.
“He likes the light there,” Adam said. “He thinks the light is amazing, and I agree with that. He also loves the community.”
Coglianese is survived by his wife Rosalind, son Adam, nephew Ethan and daughter-in-law Tia Sozzi.
In lieu of flowers, the Coglianese family asked the equestrian community to please consider making a donation to the Belmont Child Care Association, Backstretch Staff Service Team or the New York Racetrack Chaplain.
