Breeder/owner Walter “Buddy” New, who raced three Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starters, died March 8 in La Jolla, Calif. The Texas native was 70.
New campaigned Kentucky Derby runner Lone Star Sky alone and other Derby starters Southern Rhythm and Blow Out with Bill Heiligbrodt and Ted Keefer. Lone Star Sky finished 15th in the 2003 Run for the Roses behind winner Funny Cide. Southern Rhythm ran seventh in the 1994 running, won by Go for Gin, and Blow Out finished seventh in the 1996 running behind victor Grindstone.
Lone Star Sky and Southern Rhythm were graded stakes winners prior to the Run for the Roses. Lone Star Sky had won the Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) at 2, and Southern Rhythm had captured the Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland in his final Kentucky Derby prep.
Alone and in partnership, New raced about 18 stakes winners, including other added-money winners Appealing Breeze, Forty One Carats, Caught in the Rain, and Richman. Richman won the 1990 WHAS-TV Stakes at Churchill Downs for New and was sold that year to William F. Lucas. For his new owner, Richman won four graded stakes and earned millionaire status.
He also bred several stakes winner alone and in partnership.
New played football at Odessa High School in Texas for coach Hayden Fry, who went on to become a prominent head coach at the University of Iowa. New attend the University of Texas on a baseball scholarship. The team played in the College World Series all three years New was a member of the team.
Survivors include his wife, Sandy, a son, Walter III, and a daughter, Victoria.
Services will be held Friday, March 16, at Chapel of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar, Austin, Texas.
