George D. Widener
- Born:
- Mar. 11, 1889, Philadelphia
- Died:
- Dec. 8, 1971, Chestnut Hill, Pa., U.S.
- Awards And Honors:
- Belmont Stakes
George D. Widener (born Mar. 11, 1889, Philadelphia—died Dec. 8, 1971, Chestnut Hill, Pa., U.S.) was a U.S. financier, breeder, owner and racer of Thoroughbred horses.
Scion of a wealthy Philadelphia family, Widener was educated privately and at the deLancey School in Philadelphia. He managed the family’s affairs and became a director of the Electric Storage Battery Company and of the Provident National Bank, Philadelphia.
In 1916, continuing the fondness for horses that was a family trait, Widener began to raise Thoroughbreds at Erdenheim Farm in Pennsylvania and also at Old Kenny Farm near Lexington, Ky. Among his best-known horses was Jaipur, who won the Travers Stakes and the Belmont Stakes in 1962. Other outstanding horses were Eight Thirty, Jamestown, What a Treat, and Bold Hour. Until his death at 82, Widener served as honorary chairman of the Jockey Club of New York City and of the New York Racing Association.
