Donald Potash, horseman, manager of New York-based Tri County Stables, and longtime consultant for Milestone Farm near Lexington, died at his home in Bayside, N.Y., June 23. He was 70.
In the early 1970s, Potash joined forces with two high school friends, Charles Goldberg and Richard Rosee, to form Mischief Stable, which later evolved into Tri-County Stable.
The partnership bore fruit in the form of graded stakes winner Crafty But Sweet, a daughter of Crafty Prospector out of Keys Special. The dam also produced Captain Maestri for the partners, a dual stakes-winning colt who was graded stakes-placed in two starts.
Other Tri County stakes winners include Love Abroad, Lady Bi Bi, and Carrbine Special, New York’s champion 2-year-old colt in 1995.
Potash served as a consultant for Milestone Farm since its inception in 1985, and owner John O'Meara noted how he was "instrumental in trying to make a success of my business." In the mid-nineties Potash even transferred three mares to O'Meara, who still has daughters of those producers on his farm today.
Potash helped O'Meara make buying and breeding decisions, including the advice to acquire Pola, a broodmare from the Allen Paulson dispersal. “He was like the carpenter that measures twice and cuts once,” described O’Meara, always double checking his research.
A New York City school teacher by profession, Potash was aslo a notable girls' track coach whose trainees have gone on to compete on national and international levels, some on Olympic teams.
In a 1995 interview with The Blood-Horse, Potash described a trio of colleagues saying "They're indispensable as both horsemen and friends." By all accounts, the same holds true for Potash, who was praised for giving unconditionally to those around him—of his time, his energy, and his knowledge.
He is survived by a sister, a niece and nephew, the students and athletes he inspired, and many friends and colleagues.