Lifetime equestrian and accomplished owner/breeder Diana Melville Johnson Firestone died on February 12 at her home in West Palm Beach, Fla., her family confirmed on February 14. 91 years old.
The enormous loss to the Thoroughbred racing community, first reported by Thoroughbred Daily News, comes a year and a half after the passing of her husband, Bertram Robert Firestone, in July 2021.
Born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1932, Firestone is the daughter of John Seward Johnson, the executive and director of Johnson & Johnson, and Ruth Dill Johnson, a native of Bermuda. She is the niece of Robert Wood Johnson, the founder of Johnson & Johnson.
Firestone learned to ride in England with her siblings Mary Lea, Elaine and Seward Jr., and riding quickly became her first love. During her school days at Madeira School, she rode hunters, divers, and foxes throughout northern Virginia. After graduating from Bennett Junior College, Firestone had a distinguished equestrian career, representing the United States in races and performing around the world.
She married Richard G. Stokes and then Bert Firestone in 1973. Bert and Diana together bought a 1,400-acre ranch in Virginia which they named Catoctin after a creek that ran through the property. This. They later also owned Big Sink Ranch near Lexington.
Not content with just riding, she was instrumental in creating a highly successful Thoroughbred breeding operation, breeding and racing seven Eclipse Award winners, including Honest Joy (the horse) 2-year-old champion in 1975), What a Summer (champion sprinter in 1977), and April Run (horse champion in 1982). Running on Firestone’s familiar blue and white silks, Genuine Risk won the 1980 Kentucky Derby (G1), becoming only the second driver to win the top American classic and remains the The only racer with a record of winning or taking place in all three Triple Crown races. Genuine Risk was named champion of the year for 3-year-olds and Firestones was named Outstanding Owner.
Diana and Bert Firestone
Throughout 2016, Firestones campaigned for 51 graded/group stake winners, including 17 class/group 1 winners and five champions. Among their stellar runners were Theatrical, a six-time 1st grade champion, and the 1987 Eclipse jockey that brought promising young coach and future Hall of Famer Bill Mott to the table. thing.
As a breeder, Firestones has produced 11 graded/grouped winners since 1991, including a nine-times classified bet winner and a four-time Paradise Creek 1st place winner. Among the top runners they bred are 1st place winner Shinko Lovely, 1st place winner Chief Honcho and four time 1st place winner Winchester.
Diana Firestone’s immense love and commitment to equestrian sport was recognized by the American Equestrian Association with the Walter B. Devereux Trophy, which honors those who have exemplified the ideal of athleticism. good sports through commitment, dedication and service.
They are ardent advocates for equine welfare on many fronts, including being a founding committee member of Virginia Tech’s Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center.
“Bert and Diana Firestone, as original members… helped bring recognition to the Virginia-Maryland Veterinary College at Virginia Tech,” said professor emeritus G. Frederick Fregin, who served as director for the center’s first 20 people. year, in 2021. “Firestones’ financial gifts to the EMC allow us to begin serving the equestrian community with state-of-the-art equipment. Their support continues throughout their tenure on the commission. committee and help complete the EMC Advisory Council initiative to purchase new MRI technology.”
Firestone passed on her love of horses and farm life to her children. Her daughter, Alison Robitaille, continues her legacy as a highly competitive Grand Prix driver. Firestone’s family recalls that she was also passionate about the land on which she raised her family, owning farms in Virginia, Florida and Ireland — including Cabin Run, Shenstone, Catoctin, Gilltown and Newstead . She is always improving every farm she touches.
“When she is not with her horse or family, she is watering the plants or tending the garden, always with one or three happy dogs, following her,” the family wrote in a memorial to her.
Firestone once said, “Horses, except for my family, are the most important thing in my life.”
She is survived by four children, Lorna Stokes, Christopher Stokes, Cricket MacDonald and Alison Robitaille; three stepchildren, Matthew Firestone, Ted Firestone and Greg Firestone; and 16 grandchildren.
