Bernard Joseph "Ben" Ridder (June 29, 1913 – July 29, 1983) was an American newspaper publisher who served as chairman of the board of directors of Ridder Publications, Inc. and an executive in the California Thoroughbred horse racing industry as well as a racehorse owner and breeder.[1]

Bernard J. Ridder
Born(1913-06-29)June 29, 1913
New York City, United States
DiedJuly 30, 1983(1983-07-30) (aged 70)
EducationPrinceton University
Occupation(s)Newspaper publisher,
Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder
Board member ofRidder Publications, Inc., California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association
SpouseGeorgia Buck (1914–2002)
Children2
ParentJoseph E. Ridder & Hedwig Schneider
RelativesHerman Ridder (grandfather)
Victor F. Ridder (uncle)

Ridder was born in New York City, one of eight grandsons of the newspaper magnate, Herman Ridder. His father, Joseph E. Ridder was chairman of the family's Ridder Publications, Inc.

Ben Ridder married Georgia Buck in 1936. They moved from their home on Long Island, New York in 1956 to California in order for him to take over as the publisher of the Pasadena Independent & Star News when Ridder Publications acquired the newspaper.

His granddaughter, Katie Ridder, is married to the architect Peter Pennoyer, a great-great-grandson of J. P. Morgan.[2]

Ridder Thoroughbred Stable edit

A few years after settling in California, Ben Ridder and his wife Georgia became owners of Thoroughbred racehorses. Some of their notable runners included Flying Paster, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita[3] and Hollywood Derbys and California Horse of the Year plus the Eclipse Award winner, Cascapedia.

Ben Ridder served as president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and in 1969 was a founding executive of the Oak Tree Racing Association, which operates the annual fall meet at Santa Anita Park.

References edit

  1. ^ New York Times - July 30, 1983
  2. ^ "Katie Ridder, Editor, Is Wed". The New York Times. 1988-09-25. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  3. ^ Sarasota Herald-Tribune - April 2, 1979