Richard Bomze, the owner/breeder of two of New York's most beloved racehorses, died March 11 in Hollywood, Fla.
Bomze, 76, first gained national recognition with Fourstardave, a son of Compliance who ruled Saratoga Race Course between 1987 and 1994, when he won at least one race a year over eight consecutive years.
Fourstardave also won at least one stakes at Saratoga between 1987 and 1992. During a career in which he made 100 starts and earned more than $1.63 million, he won 13 stakes and placed in 22 others.
Fourstars Allstar, a full brother to Fourstardave, won seven graded stakes in North America and was New York-bred Horse of the Year in 1991 and 1993. His biggest claim to fame, however, came when he become the first American-trained horse to win a European classic. His victory in the Airlie Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) for Bomze and partner Philip DiLeo came just a week after a triumph at Belmont Park. Fourstars Allstar returned to New York shortly after.
Fourstars Allstar ended his career in 1995 with 14 wins from 59 races and earnings of $1,596,760.
Bomze was a former sports reporter and publisher of American Turf Monthly, which his father founded in 1946 in addition to the Racing Star Weekly.
He and trainer Leo O'Brien became friends and got involved in racing together in 1981. A few years after running some cheap claiming horses, Bomze got into breeding by acquiring a 4-year-old colt from Windfields Farm for $125,000 named Compliance. He bred the unraced Broadway Joan (by Bold Arian) to Compliance five times and got graded stakes winners Fourstardave and Fourstars Allstar and three other winners.
Bomze is survived by his wife, Diane, and children Dana Romick and Jennifer Martin. A chapel service will be held March 16 at 10 a.m. at Parkside Memorial Chapel, 98-60 Queens Blvd., Rego Park, N.Y. Interment is to follow at Old Montefiore Cemetery in St. Albans. In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged for Bomze's favorite charity, the Belmont Child Care Association at Belmont Park.