from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Victor Zeinfeld, 92, died Jan. 2, 2016.

He was the son of the late Joseph and the late Ida Zeinfeld.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Victor Zeinfeld

Mr. Zeinfeld was raised in Maywood, Ill., the youngest of eight children. An avid sportsman, he excelled in sports. During his high school years he was on the basketball team and captain of the tennis team, winning numerous tournaments. He attended Northwestern University before joining the Army to serve in World War II.

His early years were spent in the family grocery business in Maywood, then 40 years as a horseman took him around the country, finally settling his family in Cypress, Calif., where he later retired.

Mr. Zeinfeld was a prominent Standardbred owner and breeder, who most notably bred Adios Vic, the first horse who beat Bret Hanover and ended the latter’s win streak at 35 races. Mr. Zeinfeld and his brother, Morris, also campaigned Leader Pick in the 1960s and also bred the pacing star Roses Are Red, a top mare in the 1970s.

The Board of Directors of the U.S. Trotting Association honored Mr. Zeinfeld in 2006 with a President’s Award for his many contributions to the sport of harness racing.

He was a loving family man, successful in business, owning a world champion stable, loved to talk business and sports. Even in his later years he still enjoyed shooting basketball.

He was the loving father of Andy (Suzanne) and Jay (Sandra); devoted grandfather to Jonathan and Jacqueline. He is survived by his dear brother, Art (Margaret). He had many close brothers and sisters, in memoriam to Seymour (Shirley), Louis (Norma), Morris (Beatrice), Bertha (Sam) Halpern, Minnette (Harry) Gibbons, and Sidney (Bill) Brandman. He had many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Friday (Jan. 8) at 10 a.m. at Weinstein and Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette, IL. Information: 847.256.5700.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.