Trainer Vincent Timphony, who saddled Wild Again to an upset victory in the
inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 1984, is in grave condition at Arcadia
Methodist Hospital, his ex-wife Scarlet confirmed on Sunday.
“He was admitted to the hospital a week ago Saturday because of respiratory
disease and a series of strokes,” she said. “The decision was made to take him
off life support yesterday.”
Timphony, 76, spent his whole life around racing.
“He’s a man who loved horses and loved people,” his wife of 24 years said.
“He was born right behind the Fair Grounds and began going to the track as a
little boy. Vincent won his first horse in a gin rummy game when he was 18.
“We are looking at the loss of one of the last Damon Runyan characters in the
game.”
Timphony’s ex-wife said that his early mentors were trainers Tennessee Wright
and Marion Van Berg, who launched him on a career that began on a Midwest
circuit of Louisiana, Arkansas and Chicago, and branched into New York, New
Jersey and Florida. He came to California in 1983, one year before the exciting
and controversial Breeders’ Cup that resulted in a three-way photo finish and
stewards’ inquiry.
Timphony has five children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.