Edward Evans, thoroughbred racing owner, dies at 68

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Edward P. Evans, one of thoroughbred racing’s leading owners and breeders, has died after a brief illness. He was 68.

Evans died Friday night at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, his personal secretary, Catherine Moraetis, said Saturday. The cause of death was acute myeloid leukemia.

Evans owned Spring Hill Farm in Virginia, and his horses won more than 100 stakes races during his 30-plus years as an owner.

Quality Road was among his best horses, earning more than $2.2 million, including victories in the Woodward Stakes and the Metropolitan Handicap in 2010. Other horses bred by Evans include 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam, Gygistar and Tap Dance.

Evans, who was born in Pittsburgh, was the son of Thomas Mellon Evans, also a breeder and owner whose Buckland Farm produced 1981 Kentucky Derby winner Pleasant Colony.

Evans also was a former chairman of publisher MacMillan Inc. He recently donated $50 million to his alma mater, Yale University, to help with construction of a campus for its school of management.

-- Associated Press