The tradition of Thoroughbred breeding and racing was continued by Stephen Brunetti's family.
The racing and breeding industry for thoroughbreds lost one of its most passionate supporters. Owner and breeder Stephen Brunetti passed away at his home, in Del Ray Florida, on April 22, after a 4.5-year fight with cancer, according to friends and family. He was 56 years old.
After their father, John Brunetti Sr., created Red Oak Farm outside Ocala, Florida, and purchased Hialeah Park in 1977, Brunetti and his brother, John Brunetti Jr., have been carrying on their father's racing and breeding tradition. With a special interest in breeding, Stephen Brunetti collaborated with Rick Sacco to modernise the Red Oak broodmare band, located at Darby Dan Farm close to Lexington.
According to Sacco, operation and racing manager for Red Oak Farm, Good Chance Training Center, and Red Oak Stable opinion, father and son both shared a passion for racing and breeding, and Stephen got to be a fine breeder, who was a supporter of Uncle Mo early on.
Brunetti oversaw the breeding and racing of Unbridled Mo (by Uncle Mo), a grade 1 winner and millionaire who took home the 2018 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1). In 2017, Stephen went to Texas and Kentucky with his father to witness Unbridled Mo win graded stakes races. Following the passing of John Brunetti Sr. in 2018, she was awarded the Apple Blossom.
In addition, Stephen Brunetti was the breeder and racer of Mind Control, a Stay Thirsty son who won three grade 1 races and over $2.07 million. Joining Mind Control, another homebred from Red Oak Stable, as a member of the Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions roster, is King for a Day (by Uncle Mo), the rookie sire and stakes winner.
"It is tough when a patriarch like John Brunetti Sr. passes; there are questions about whether the kids are going to pick it up and carry it on. But Stephen had that passion," Sacco said. "He was an awesome guy, gregarious and charismatic, who loved life and loved going to the races."
Rick's brother, trainer Greg Sacco, recalled playing around Monmouth Park with Stephen when the New Jersey racetrack was home to horses owned by John Brunetti Sr.
"Steve was a genuine guy with a real passion for racing and breeding," Greg said. "We lost him way too young, and it is devastating to my family and the industry. It is really just starting to sink in.".
According to Rick Sacco, John Brunetti, the brother of Stephen Brunetti, and Stephen Jr., his son is eager to continue the family's racing and breeding business, though perhaps at a reduced level. Good Chance Training Center, a 250-acre facility featuring a quarter-mile training track and over 100 stalls, was created by Sacco and Stephen Brunetti. The stable, the training facility, and the farm will all be maintained by the family. From the 100 horses they currently have in training and breeding stock, they probably will reduce the number.
"John and Stephen's son both have a love for the game, too. John and I have already talked. He wants to carry on, not at the level now, but at a certain level," Sacco said. "We are looking forward to seeing King for a Day get his start."