David Dunham Withers was an American businessman and a Thoroughbred

Thoroughbred

The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...

 horse racing

Horse racing

Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...

 track owner and an owner/breeder. His 800 acres (3.2 km²) Brookdale Farm in the Lincroft section of Middletown Township, New Jersey

Middletown Township, New Jersey

Middletown Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 66,522...

 was the home of some of the finest bloodstock in the world.

Heavily involved in the horse racing industry, David Withers served as the first president of the Board of Control which became The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club, formed on February 9, 1894, is the keeper of The American Stud Book. It came into existence after James R. Keene spearheaded a drive in support of racehorse trainers who had complained about the Board of Control that governed racing in New York State.-History:On its formation, The...

. In 1878, he partnered with Gordon Bennett, Jr.

James Gordon Bennett, Jr.

James Gordon Bennett, Jr. was publisher of the New York Herald, founded by his father, James Gordon Bennett, Sr., who emigrated from Scotland. He was generally known as Gordon Bennett to distinguish him from his father....

, George L. Lorillard

George L. Lorillard

George Lyndes Lorillard was an American tobacco manufacturer and a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner.-Biography:He was born in Westchester, New York, the son of Pierre Lorillard III and Catherine Griswold. In 1760, his great-grandfather founded P. Lorillard and Company in New York City to...

 and George P. Wetmore

George P. Wetmore

George Peabody Wetmore was the 37th Governor and a United States Senator from Rhode Island.-Early life:George Peabody Wetmore was born in London, England, during a visit of his parents abroad. His father was William Shepard Wetmore, a wealthy Yankee trader. George Wetmore received his early...

, to purchase Monmouth Park Racetrack

Monmouth Park Racetrack

Monmouth Park Racetrack is an American race track for thoroughbred horse racing in Oceanport, New Jersey. It is owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and is operated under a five-year lease as a partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.Monmouth Park's marquee event...

 near Red Bank, N.J.

Withers died in 1892 and was buried in the Marble Cemetery

New York Marble Cemetery

The New York Marble Cemetery is an historic cemetery founded in 1830, and located in the interior of the block bounded by East Second and 3rd Streets, Second Avenue, and The Bowery, in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is entered through an alleyway with an iron gate at...

 in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

. According to his obituary in the February 27, 1892 edition of the Live Stock Record Withers "was the best racing authority in America."

The Withers Stakes

Withers Stakes

The Withers Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds willing to compete one mile on the dirt. Held at Aqueduct Racetrack every year at the end of April , it is a Grade III event, and offers a purse of $150,000...

 at Aqueduct Racetrack

Aqueduct Racetrack

Aqueduct Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse-racing facility and racino in Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Its racing meets usually are from late October/early November through April.-History:...

 in Ozone Park, Queens, New York is named in his honor.