William R. Hawn
Encyclopedia
William Russell "Fritz" Hawn (January 13, 1910 - December 8, 1995) was an American
businessman and philanthropist who bred and raced Thoroughbred
horses, served for twenty years as president of Del Mar Racetrack
, owned by life-long friend Clint Murchinson
with whom he became a founding partner in the Dallas Cowboys
franchise of the National Football League
. He sold his interest in the Dallas Cowboys in 1984.
A native of Athens, Texas
, while a student at Southern Methodist University
, William Hawn was part of the football team from 1930 through 1932.
He served with the United States military during World War II
.
In 1962, William Hawn and his wife Mildred established The Hawn Foundation, Inc. with a mandate to provide financial assistance to charitable, educational, scientific and literary institutions.
Blue Norther
(b. 1961). During his career, Hawn bred more than 50 stakes winners and had his greatest success during the middle part of the 1970s with Vigors
(b. 1973), a horse he bred which he named for his friend Tim Vigors, founder of Ireland's
renowned Coolmore Stud
. Hawn also raced horses in Europe, where he won the 1971 Poule d'Essai des Poulains
(French 2,000 Guineas) with Zug. In addition to his own horses, Hawn was also a partner in Poltex Stable which raced six stakes winners in the United States, including Colorado King
and Terrang
.
In 1977, William Hawn acquired Bosque Bonita Farm, a breeding operation near Versailles, Kentucky
. He eventually sold the property to William S. Farish III, who renamed it Lane's End Farm
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and philanthropist who bred and raced 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...
horses, served for twenty years as president of Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar Racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 miles north of San Diego. Operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, it is known for the slogan: "Where The Turf Meets The Surf." It was built by a partnership...
, owned by life-long friend Clint Murchinson
Clint Murchison, Jr.
Clint William Murchison Jr., was a businessman and founder of the Dallas Cowboys football team.A son of Clint Murchison, Sr...
with whom he became a founding partner in the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
franchise of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He sold his interest in the Dallas Cowboys in 1984.
A native of Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat of Henderson County. According to the Texas Legislature, Athens is the "Original Home of the Hamburger"...
, while a student at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, William Hawn was part of the football team from 1930 through 1932.
He served with the United States military during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1962, William Hawn and his wife Mildred established The Hawn Foundation, Inc. with a mandate to provide financial assistance to charitable, educational, scientific and literary institutions.
Thoroughbred racing
In the 1960s Hawn had notable success racing in the United States with the fillyFilly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
Blue Norther
Blue Norther
Blue Norther was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who, along with Tosmah and Miss Cavandish, was a top filly in United States racing in 1964...
(b. 1961). During his career, Hawn bred more than 50 stakes winners and had his greatest success during the middle part of the 1970s with Vigors
Vigors (horse)
Vigors was an American Thoroughbred racehorse known as "The White Tornado." Called by Bloodhorse.com in a 2011 article "the great California closer," Vigors earned the affection of racing fans because of his dramatic come-from-behind running style.Vigors was bred in Kentucky by William R...
(b. 1973), a horse he bred which he named for his friend Tim Vigors, founder of Ireland's
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
renowned Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. It was established in 1975....
. Hawn also raced horses in Europe, where he won the 1971 Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Poule d'Essai des Poulains
The Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
(French 2,000 Guineas) with Zug. In addition to his own horses, Hawn was also a partner in Poltex Stable which raced six stakes winners in the United States, including Colorado King
Colorado King
Colorado King was a South African Thoroughbred racehorse who also competed successfully in the United States. Virtually all thoroughbred horses in the Southern Hemisphere are born between July 1 and December 31, and the South African racing year begins on August 1 whereas in the United States they...
and Terrang
Terrang
Terrang was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who in the 1950s won a record ten stakes races at Santa Anita Park including the Santa Anita Derby and Santa Anita Handicap....
.
In 1977, William Hawn acquired Bosque Bonita Farm, a breeding operation near Versailles, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
. He eventually sold the property to William S. Farish III, who renamed it Lane's End Farm
Lane's End Farm
Lane's End Farm is a thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Versailles, Kentucky established in 1979. The original land was part of Bosque Bonita Farm which means beautiful woods and was originally owned by Abraham Buford, a Confederate Army General. The land was later bought by leading...
.