John Hettinger

The world is not without its share of people who advocate for and protect horses, but for John Hettinger nothing was more central to his role in the racing industry than guaranteeing the enduring comfort and protections of racehorses, day in and day out, for their participation on the racetrack.

Inducted

2019

Born

Dec. 18, 1933, Pawling, New York

Died

Dec. 6, 2008, Pawling, New York

Biography

The world is not without its share of people who advocate for and protect horses, but for John Hettinger nothing was more central to his role in the racing industry than guaranteeing the enduring comfort and protections of racehorses, day in and day out, for their participation on the racetrack.

A graduate of Yale University, Hettinger enjoyed a successful career in Mexico and Spain in chemical sales and real estate before returning to the United States in 1973 to take over Akindale Farm in Pawling, New York, which his father had owned. Hettinger expanded the property to 800 acres and campaigned such stakes-winning horses as Chase the Dream, Genuine Regret, Jazzing Around, Lady D’Accord, Move It Now, Prospector’s Flag, Up Like Thunder, and Virgo Libra.

Akindale also stood such stallions as D’Accord, Personal Flag, Stacked Pack, and Sir Wimborne. Hettinger’s favorite horse was Warfie, who he said gave him his biggest thrill as an owner when she won the Long Island Handicap in 1989.

Hettinger stepped in at a crucial period in the history of Fasig-Tipton, North America’s oldest thoroughbred auction company. In December 1991, Hettinger and his family funded a significant portion of the firm’s recapitalization plan. Most of the money was used to pay off Fasig-Tipton’s debt, and in exchange the Hettinger family was given the majority of the voting control of Fasig-Tipton.

A member of The Jockey Club and chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Hettinger was presented the Eclipse Award of Merit in 2000.

An outspoken opponent of horse slaughter, he founded Blue Horse Charities to fight the mistreatment of horses and to set up adoption for many after their racing careers were over. Hettinger also personally financed the book “After the Finish Line,” which detailed the atrocities of horse slaughter. He sent copies to every member of Congress.

Hettinger was also honored with the Safe Home Equine Protection Award by Equine Advocates in 2004 and given a Presidents’ Award by the New York Turf Writers Association.