Owner, Breeder von Wiesenthal Dies at 95

Longtime owner and breeder Ruth "Bonnie" von Wiesenthal died Nov. 16 at age 95, according to an obituary in Hudson 360. Wiesenthal was born in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1927 to her parents, Abraham and Ruth Scott. She graduated from Wells College and taught first grade at Riverdale Country Day School. Her passion for Thoroughbreds met its match when she married Peter von Wiesenthal. The couple lived between Manhattan and their Snowberry Farm in Livingston, N.Y. The two raced their horses with multiple trainers, including Hall of Famer Jim Maloney. The latter was known for training grade 1 winners Broom Dance (for a portion of her career) and Chain Bracelet. The Wiesenthals, racing as Snowberry Farm, campaigned 1983 Dwyer Stakes (G1) winner Au Point, 1981 Mount Vernon Stakes victor Move It Now, and Lilly's Moment, who placed in the 1995 Garden State Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3). They were also partners in the ownership of Centennial Farms' multiple grade 1 winner Colonial Affair. Wiesenthal was preceded in death by her first husband Peter, second husband Charles Coe Townsend, and her third husband James Eyre. She was also preceded by her brother, Alfred Scott. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Carr, her son, Christian von Wiesenthal, as well as two grandchildren, Lauren Elliott, and Ryan von Wiesenthal. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Bradyn, Landon, and Savannah, as well as her farm manager of 35 years, Rebecca Schroeder.