Bertram Linder, a Saratoga sale yearling consigner for 50 years, died Oct. 7. He lived in Manhattan, N.Y., and was 93.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Linder was a decorated World War II officer while serving in Europe. He was a member of the D-Day invasion force and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
Linder, who owned Hickory Hill Farm near Dalton, Pa., was known for the slew of major horses that descended from his prized broodmare band. He was the breeder of the highly successful Tim Tam mare Tamerett. Sold at Saratoga, Tamerett produced five stakes winners, including English champion Known Fact, Secrettame (dam of major sire Gone West), and successful sire Tentam.
Linder also was the breeder of grade I winner Obeah, who was sold at Saratoga. Obeah became the dam of four stakes winners, including Hall of Fame member Go for Wand.
In partnership, Linder was the breeder of First Mirage, dam of grade I winners Classy Mirage and Missy’s Mirage. Classy Mirage’s 2-year-old son Dublin is a grade I winner.
Linder also was the breeder of additional graded winners Southern Rhythm and Optimistic Gal, who won or placed in 11 grade I stakes. Overall, Linder was the breeder of more than 15 stakes winners alone and in partnership.
Linder, whose look of fitness and his generous flock of white hair denoted a sense of rugged handsomeness, experienced some unusual encounters at the Saratoga sales. One year, a woman came up to him and said she would buy one of his yearlings if he came with it.
Linder is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen, and a daughter, Denise.