Harry F. Thompson, Jr., one of the leading trainers in Penn National Race Course history, died Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. Thompson was 75.
Born in Manassas, Va., Thompson began training at Penn National in 1989. He ranks third among trainers in the 40-year history of the track with 2,187 wins. Thompson was Penn National's leading trainer seven years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Over the course of his lifetime, Thompson registered 2,671 victories, which ranks 35th among North American-based trainers in North America. His final statistics from 14,776 starts follow: 2,671-2,213-1,913, and $16,403,564 in total purses earned by his starters.
Some of his top horses included stakes winners High Flying Bid, Kailicki, Little Hero, and Doedee.
Thompson was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps and will be buried with military honors in Quantico, Va. He is survived by wife Lynn, and sons Barry, Garry, Kerry, and Terry.
Visitation will be 1-2:30 p.m., Sept. 23 at St. Johns United Methodist Church with a service to follow from 2:30-3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.