Harvey L. Vanier (April 21, 1924 - December 1, 2013) was an American trainer, owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses. With his wife Nancy Aiken-Vanier, they owned and bred racehorses on their Fairberry Farm in Waterloo, Illinois.

Harvey Vanier
OccupationJockey, Trainer, Owner & Breeder
Born(1924-04-21)April 21, 1924
Diller, Nebraska, United States
DiedDecember 1, 2013(2013-12-01) (aged 89)
Versailles, Kentucky
Major racing wins
Derby Trial Stakes (1970, 1977)
Rebel Stakes (1970)
Fayette Stakes (1979)
La Cañada Stakes (1982)
American Derby (1983, 1987)
Arlington Classic (1983)
Blue Grass Stakes (1983, 1989)
Travers Stakes (1983)
Donn Handicap (1984)
Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (1987)
Red Bank Stakes (1988)
Cornhusker Handicap (1989, 1995)
Lane's End Stakes (1989)
Pennsylvania Derby (1989)
Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap
(1989, 1995, 1996)
Illinois Oaks (1990)
Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes (1993)
Washington Park Handicap (1993)
Sixty Sails Handicap (1994)
Alcibiades Stakes (1996)
Arlington-Washington Lassie Stakes (1996)
Isaac Murphy Handicap (1997)
Significant horses
Play Fellow, Western Playboy

Vanier began his career in Thoroughbred racing as a jockey, first riding as a boy of 12 at state and county fairs. Once old enough to obtain a professional license, he rode at Nebraska tracks. Weight gain ended his riding career in his late teens and in 1942 he turned to training. However, that was short-lived when he joined the United States Army and would serve in Europe during World War II.[1] [2] [3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Harvey and Nancy Vanier, Fairberry Farm". Fairberry Farm. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
  2. ^ "Harvey L. Vanier (obituary)". Legacy.com - Lexington Herald-Leader. 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  3. ^ "Harvey Vanier, 1924-2013". Chicago Tribune. 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2021-01-30.