Hall of Fame

 



anthony t. abbatiello

Year of Induction: 
1995
Year of Birth: 
1928
Executive Official: 
Yes
Executive: 
Yes
Election Into Living Hall of Fame: 
1994
Year of Death: 
2017
Biography: 

A former trainer and driver, Anthony Abbatiello was a co-founder of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, and served nearly thirty years as its president. Due largely to his leadership, the SBOANJ has been a strong, motivating force behind the success of harness racing in New Jersey, the New Jersey Sire Stakes program and many other equine activities. Abbatiello was in the forefront of efforts to establish the Meadowlands Racetrack, bringing the prestigious Hambletonian Stake there and saving the March of Dimes International Trot at Garden State Park.

A national leader in the harness horse industry, Abbatiello served as chairman of the board of the USTA Board of Directors and chairman of its Finance Committee. He was an officer of the Harness Horsemen International, chairman of the board of the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C, and a trustee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame. From 2005 to his passing, Abbatiello was a member of the New Jersey Racing Commission.

During his distinguished career, Abbatiello received such awards as Harness Horse International’s Man of the Year, the New Jersey Horse Council’s 1982 Horseman of the Year, the 1988 Clem McCarthy Good Guy Award, the United States Harness Writers Association’s 1992 Proximity Award and selection to the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. In 2006, the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey renamed the New Jersey Classic for Abbatiello.

Anthony Abbatiello is the brother of 1986 inductee Carmine Abbatiello.

Anthony Abbatiello passed away on October 19, 2017.

Published in the Harness Racing Museum's Hall of Fame kiosks

Harness Racing Communications obituary for Anthony Abbatiello