Philip J. Dwyer
| Philip J. Dwyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 21, 1844 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died |
June 9, 1917 (aged 72) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman: Wholesale meat distribution Racehorse/Racetrack owner |
Philip J. Dwyer (August 21, 1844 – June 9, 1917) was an American businessman from Brooklyn, New York and prominent owner of Thoroughbred racehorses and racetracks. Along with his younger brother, Michael F. Dwyer, he made a fortune in the meat packing industry, supplying butcher shops, eating establishments and hotels.
In 1874 the Dwyer brothers entered the sport of Thoroughbred racing, building their Dwyer Brothers Stable into one of the top racing operations in the United States. Between them, they won the Kentucky Derby twice, the Preakness Stakes once, and the Belmont Stakes five times in the six years from 1883 through 1888. They owned and raced some of the best horses in the history of American Thoroughbred flat racing including four that have been inducted in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In 1890, the Dwyers decided to dissolve their formal racing partnership. Mike Dwyer went on to enjoy further racing success and gained control of the New Jersey Jockey Club that operated a racetrack in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Philip Dwyer raced horses for the joy of the sport, while his brother Mike became notorious for betting enormous amounts of money on the outcome of races. The New York Times newspaper reported that he died "in poor circumstances" as a result of his heavy gambling.
During the 1880s, the Dwyer brothers entered into a leasing arrangement for the Prospect Park Fair Grounds Trotting Track which they operated so successfully that they decided to build their own racing facility. In 1887 they established the Brooklyn Jockey Club which built and operated the Gravesend Race Track at Gravesend on Coney Island, New York. Philip Dwyer was the controlling shareholder of the Brooklyn Jockey Club, and served as its president.
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