Seymour Cohen, a longtime breeder, owner, and seller of Thoroughbreds, died July 12. Born in Detroit in 1932, Cohen lived the majority of his life in Florida and was a graduate of the University of Florida.
In 1980, Cohen spent $8,700 for Irish Martini at the Ocala Breeders Sales' October yearling sale. The following year, the son of Princely Pleasure—Karen's Martini, by Martini II, won Belmont Park's Futurity Stakes (G1) by nine lengths.
"I figure it cost me $9,200," Cohen told The Blood-Horse in 1981. "Had to pay sales tax. In Florida, you buy from the breeder, no sales tax, but I bought him at auction." Irish Martini earned $103,605 for his Futurity win.
Pegged as a pinhooker at the time, Cohen told William Rudy, "Been doing it all my life. Most of my horses are bought for resale. Don't pay much."
One of the horses he sold, for $7,500, was Smartaire, who later was named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year after producing Quadratic, Smarten, and Smart Angle.
Also in 1981, Cohen co-owned Wolfie's Rascal, who ran third in the Remsen Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. The following year Wolfie's Rascal took Cohen, Wolfie Cohen, and Richard Kumble to the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the colt finished 17th. He later won the Peter Pan Stakes (G3). Sold to Sidney Port, Wolfie's Rascal added the Arlington Classic (G1T) and American Derby (G1T).
Cohen also raced 1992 stakes winner Booly with trainer Vicent Blengs.
At his request, there will be no services.
