Bob Benoit (horse racing)
Encyclopedia
Robert P. Benoit (1927–2008) was chief operating officer and general manager of the Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California
. In 2004, he became the first recipient of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, given by Hollywood Park to a person who served racing with "integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination, and distinction."
, after which he joined the Army. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles
, beginning in 1947 and was on the sports staff of the Daily Bruin
, the student newspaper.
In 1951, Benoit became sports editor of the Inglewood Daily News, then worked part-time for the track until he became a full-time employee in 1955. He was promoted to publicity director in 1969. He became chief operating officer and general manager of the track in 1977.
He also founded a company that provided track photographers at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Fairplex Park race courses. He became publicity director at Playfair.
According to a Hollywood Park press release, Benoit was "instrumental in forming the Racetrack Chaplaincy of California and in bringing jockeys Sandy Hawley
, Chris McCarron
, Eddie Delahoussaye
, and Darrel McHargue
to Southern California."
He died of pneumonia on August 15, 2008, at Centinela Valley Hospital in Inglewood.
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
. In 2004, he became the first recipient of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, given by Hollywood Park to a person who served racing with "integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination, and distinction."
Biography
Benoit was born in Gary, Indiana, on Feb. 8, 1927. He graduated from Los Angeles (Calif.) High SchoolLos Angeles High School
Los Angeles High School is the oldest public high school in the Southern California Region and in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Its colors are blue and white and the teams are called the Romans....
, after which he joined the Army. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
, beginning in 1947 and was on the sports staff of the Daily Bruin
Daily Bruin
The Daily Bruin is the student newspaper at the University of California, Los Angeles.-Frequency and governance:When classes are in session, the Bruin is published Monday through Friday during the school year and once a week on Mondays in the summer quarter.It is overseen by the ASUCLA...
, the student newspaper.
In 1951, Benoit became sports editor of the Inglewood Daily News, then worked part-time for the track until he became a full-time employee in 1955. He was promoted to publicity director in 1969. He became chief operating officer and general manager of the track in 1977.
He also founded a company that provided track photographers at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Fairplex Park race courses. He became publicity director at Playfair.
According to a Hollywood Park press release, Benoit was "instrumental in forming the Racetrack Chaplaincy of California and in bringing jockeys Sandy Hawley
Sandy Hawley
Desmond Sanford "Sandy" Hawley, CM is a Hall of Fame jockey.Sandy Hawley started out as a plumber then later decided to be a jockey. He started his career as a jockey when he was a 17-year-old boy, hotwalking horses at a Toronto racetrack...
, Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
, Eddie Delahoussaye
Eddie Delahoussaye
Edward J. Delahoussaye is a retired American Thoroughbred jockey from New Iberia, Louisiana.He began his career in 1968 and ten years later became the top American jockey with 384 wins...
, and Darrel McHargue
Darrel McHargue
Darrel G. McHargue is a retired American Champion jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. One of five children from a family not connected to horse racing, he was first introduced to riding as a teeneage boy when he rode a neighbor's Quarter Horse...
to Southern California."
He died of pneumonia on August 15, 2008, at Centinela Valley Hospital in Inglewood.