Hall of Fame

 



frederick l. van lennep

Year of Induction: 
1975
Year of Birth: 
1911
Immortal: 
Yes
OwnerBreeder: 
Yes
Executive Official: 
Yes
Owner: 
Yes
Executive: 
Yes
Election Into Living Hall of Fame: 
1974
Year of Death: 
1987
Biography: 

A native of Philadelphia, Frederick Van Lennep's association with harness racing began in 1949, when he married Frances Dodge, owner of Castleton Farm in Kentucky. Together the Van Lenneps developed Castleton into a premier Standardbred nursery. Van Lennep also became increasingly involved in the industry, holding leadership positions in the USTA, Harness Tracks of America, The Hambletonian Society, the Grand Circuit and the American Horse Council and others. In 1952 the Van Lenneps acquired Wolverine Raceway in Michigan and in 1964 they built Pompano Raceway in Florida, which Van Lennep served as chairman of the board until his death in 1987. He was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in 1974.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1994 book, The Immortals