Bentley Smith, manager of Frances A. Genter Stable for some 30 years, died Saturday, Oct. 22, at age 88 in Palm Beach, Fla.
Genter’s son-in-law, Smith was the manager during the time Genter won the 1990 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) with Unbridled. Smith had purchased Unbridled as a weanling for $70,000 at the John A. Nerud/Tartan Farms dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky in November of 1987.
Racing in the name Frances A. Genter Stable, Unbridled won the Run for the Roses over Summer Squall. Unbridled captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) at the end of year and was voted champion 3-year-old male. Unbridled went on to become a prominent stallion.
Four years earlier the Genter stable had won the third Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) with Smile, who upset heavy favorite Groovy.
Smith continued to operate the stable after Genter’s death in 1992.
Smith was the breeder and owner of grade I winner Lady Joanne. The filly won the 2007 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga and finished fourth in that year’s Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I).
Smith bred Lady Joanne’s dam, Oatsee (by Unbridled), who also is the dam of this year’s Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford .
Funeral arrangements are pending.