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TO EXTEND DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF AUSTIN A. BROWN, LEGENDARY HORSEMAN AND GENTLEMAN, AND TO CELEBRATE HIS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF CAMDEN AND TO THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Austin A. Brown at the age of eighty-nine on May 4, 2016; and
Whereas, although Austin Brown moved away from Camden for stretches of time and was not a native, a more vigorous champion of the town and its signature industry never called Camden home; and
Whereas, in 1943, at the tender age of sixteen, he received his first amateur jockey's license. He rode in fourteen Iroquois steeplechase races, winning three of them and joining the Iroquois Steeplechase Hall of Fame in 2008; and
Whereas, Mr. Brown rode in three Maryland Hunt Cups, but more importantly, he began a career that included positions as an owner, trainer, steward, course designer, and industry leader; and
Whereas, from 1965 to 1982, he served from assistant general manager to executive vice president/general manager for Delaware Park racetrack. As an executive committee member, he promoted simulcast and spurred numerous marketing developments, including the Ladies Day at the Races and Morning Railbird Club, narrating morning workouts and interviewing trainers and jockeys; and
Whereas, Mr. Brown guided the successful Carolina Cup Racing Association for many years and also supervised construction of Atlanta's first steeplechase course and organized the only jump races ever held at the Santa Anita and Bay Meadows racetracks; and
Whereas, because of his keen understanding of the sport, Mr. Brown was elected to serve on the National Steeplechase Association Board of Directors from 1962 to 1972 and again in 2007, and he also served on the Board of the National Steeplechase Foundation; and
Whereas, in 1997, he began promoting the concept of and raising funds to construct the National Steeplechase Museum in Camden on the Springdale Race Course, and by 1998, he helped to found the museum, which to him was one of his finest accomplishments; and
Whereas, to honor his remarkable contributions, the industry selected Mr. Brown in 2007 as the twenty-fourth recipient of the F. Ambrose Clark Award, for individuals who promote, improve, and encourage the growth and welfare of American steeple chasing; and
Whereas, while Mr. Brown was impassioned about horses, he enthusiastically supported the Camden community in many other meaningful endeavors, such as the Fine Arts Center; and
Whereas, he found time for golfing at the Camden Country Club with a passion for golf that nearly rivaled his love for horses and partnered with the late Camden resident Grainger Kornegay to win the Carolina Four-Ball Championship in 1958, the last Camden duo to win the event; and
Whereas, his beloved wife of sixty-eight years, Sally, and his nephew, Roger Brown of Holland, Michigan, are left to cherish his fond memory, along with countless friends and admirers; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are grateful for the impact that the life and legacy of Austin Brown have left on the Palmetto State and for what his broad smile, quick wit, warmth, genuineness, and gusto for life and racing meant to all who knew him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, extend deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Austin A. Brown, legendary horseman and gentleman, and celebrate his extraordinary contributions to the City of Camden and to the thoroughbred industry.
Be it further resolved that Saturday, November 19, 2016, be declared "Austin Brown Day" in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Austin A. Brown.
This web page was last updated on June 2, 2016 at 5:10 PM