Bill Hirsch recognizes a legend when he sees one. He is, after all, the grandson of Hall of Fame trainer Max Hirsch, and the son of Hall of Fame trainer Buddy Hirsch. Among the horses they trained: Triple Crowner winner Assault, Gallant Bloom, Sarazen, and Canonero II. Max Hirsch trained three Kentucky Derby winners and four winners of the Belmont Stakes.
Hirsch currently divides his time between Long Island and south Florida; the founder and director of Hirsch Thoroughbred Management and the husband of Mary Ryan, whose voice is as familiar as Tom Durkin’s to those who visit Belmont and Saratoga for breakfast at the morning workouts, Hirsch is a stalwart on the Saratoga backstretch, maintaining close ties to the racing industry.
Several years ago, wandering around Gulfstream and running into friends, Hirsch came up with the idea of regular reunion dinners. “It was a way,” he said, “to renew old acquaintances and socialize with people who used to see each other regularly but who have drifted.”
A year ago, he began including a guest of honor, and a recent honoree, Angel Cordero, Jr., suggested that Hirsch expand his dinners beyond the Gulfstream season and hold them in New York. Cordero also suggested the first honorees: Allen Jerkens and Frank Martin, the two oldest active trainers on the NYRA circuit.
Hirsch liked the idea so much that he decided to honor Cordero again, and on Monday, July 9, Hirsch is throwing the first New York version of his racing reunion party.
Billed as the Lifetime Achievement Testimonial Horsemen Dinner, the event is open to the public and will take place at Hendrick’s Tavern Restaurant in Roslyn, New York at 6:30. Tickets are $50 and include cocktail hour, a three-course dinner, tax and tip, with a cash bar all evening.
The event is limited to 100 guests and according to Hirsch, the response has been enthusiastic. For more information or to RSVP by Friday, July 6, you can contact Bill Hirsch at 718 428 5167 or whirsch@nyc.rr.com. To reserve your spot, you can send checks payable to Bill Hirsch to 27010 Grand Central Pkwy, Unit 2C, Floral Park, NY 11005.
Sounds like a great event!