GIL CAMPBELL

Florida Thoroughbred Community Mourns Loss of Icon Gilbert G. Campbell

Gilbert G. Campbell, co-owner with wife Marilyn, of Stonehedge Farm South near Williston, Fla., died Sept. 16 at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, Mass., following a brief illness.

Campbell was 91. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his son Gary Campbell and daughter Susan Campbell.

“Despite his remarkable success in business, he was incredibly humble,” Gary Campbell said to the Lowell Sun. “He was such a down-toearth person who would treat the janitor with the same respect he would treat the CEO.” Campbell, a successful businessman in several industries is most remembered for his stellar accomplishments and decades of dedication to the Florida thoroughbred industry.

Campbell was a highly successful real estate developer for both residential and commercial properties in Massachusetts and co-owner of the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League. He was a founding member and past president of the Lowell Home Builders Association, a past president of the Massachusetts Home Builders Association and past vice president and lifetime director of the National Home Builders Association. Campbell was also a past board member and chairman of the board of the former St. John’s Hospital/Saints Medical Center, past chairman of the former Northern Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and past president of Vesper Country Club.

A former president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and the Florida breeder of the year in 1997, 2013 and 2016, Campbell was a multiple graded stakes-winning owner with horses racing under his name from 2000-’17, then under Stonehedge LLC from 2017 to present. Under his famous green and white silks, his horses earned nearly $20 million. In 2013, the top horseman ranked 75th by earnings in North America and was among the top 100 by wins in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013. (since 2000 according to Equibase).

Longtime Stonehedge Farm South manager, Larry King, commented “He loved his horses and we inspected them all every time [Gilbert and Marilyn Campbell] came down, and he would say ‘I can’t wait to see these run.’ Marilyn is very involved and loves the horses… and his wishes, which he had told me many times, was for [Stonehedge Farm South] to keep right on going forward.”

Just a few of Campbell’s top homebreds include millionaire Grade 1winner of the Arlington Million Marlin, millionaire, multiple graded winner and Grade 1-placed Blazing Sword, who counted among his victories the Washington Park Handicap (G2); graded stakes-winner Ivanavinalot, who won the Bonnie Miss (G2) and was the dam of two-time filly champion Songbird; Swale Stakes (G2)-winner This One’s for Phil; Tampa Bay Derby (G2)-winner Watch Me Go; and Pimlico Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G3)-winner Friel’s for Real.

Among 17 Stonehedge winners of the ‘tradition-rich’ Florida Sire Series are Scandalous Act, who swept the filly division of the series in 2013; and most recently Cajun’s Magic, who along with stablemate Dean Delivers brought home the exacta in the July 31 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Dr. Fager at Gulfstream Park. Both are sons of Cajun Breeze, who stands at Campbell’s Stonehedge Farm South.

During the farm’s storied history, they also stood Sword Dance (Ire), Untuttable, Act of Duty, West Acre, Factum and Cajun Breeze. Campbell was also invested in leading Florida sires With Distinction and Khozan.

“The sad news of the passing of Gil Campbell was truly heart-breaking as he was such a larger than life human being in every way,” FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said. “He was a huge player on the Florida and national thoroughbred racing and breeding scene. He will be missed greatly. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his loving wife and partner Marilyn and to the Campbell family during this time of loss and grieving.

“I was blessed to have been befriended by Gil and Marilyn upon my arrival in Florida years ago. Gil had so much life and passion for our thoroughbred industry and was not afraid to let his thoughts and opinions be known in his typical classy and humble way. He was a captain of industry and business and a throw-back to the purest of sportsmen who often was passionately optimistic that he, Marilyn, Kathleen, Larry, the Fernungs and rest of the team could find the way to breed, buy and race the fastest horses. He was competitive in such an inspiring way in the greatest of horse owner tradition.”

“Gil Campbell was a stellar individual in countless ways. He embraced the Florida thoroughbred industry by purchasing one of its landmark farms and in so doing it continued on as a legacy farm achieving further greatness under his direction,” FTBOA president Phil Matthews D.V.M., said. “Gil kept many things in place that were there with the previous owner, the managerial staff, veterinarians, ferriers, etc. He was an intelligent businessman and recognized a recipe for success. But more than that, he didn’t want to disrupt people’s lives, as I say he embraced our community. He will be sorely missed.”

It goes without saying, Gilbert G. Campbell will go down in racing’s history books as one of Florida’s legendary horseman.

Donations can be made in the name of Gilbert G. Campbell to Florida Thoroughbred Charities, 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Fla., 34474. (352) 629-2160. Email: tgantt@ftboa.com ■