Longtime owner/breeder Mary Broman passed away October 16 at the age of 88. The following is an obituary provided by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc:
Mary Rachel Broman, who with her husband Chester established New York's leading breeding and racing operations, passed away October 16 at the age of 88.
Born April 13, 1936, and a resident of Babylon Village, New York, and Wellington, Florida, Mary was devoted wife of Chester Sr., beloved mother of Chester Jr. and his wife Holly, son Christopher and his wife Tamera and the late Rachel Broman. Cherished grandmother of Sarah, Nicholas, Brandon and Hannah, and dear sister of Roseanne McWilliams and Paula Hoey.
The Bromans own and operate Chestertown Farm in the tiny community of the same name in the heart of New York's Adirondack Mountains. The couple were honored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. with the state's Breeder of the Year title eight times, the most recent crown in 2022.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Broman,” said Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Najja Thompson. “In addition to her tremendous accomplishments in the New York-bred program alongside her husband Chester, she was also a warm and welcome presence. We express our deepest condolences to Chester and the entire Broman family.”
The Bromans sit well atop the state's list of leading breeders for 2024 with purse earnings of $2,256,979 through October 14, along with 42 wins from 227 starts. Stakes winners in 2024 bred by the Bromans include Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) and Sweet Brown Sugar (Collected).
“Mrs. Broman will be missed by the entire New York breeding and racing community,” added Vice President of Government Affairs for the New York Racing Association and former Executive Director of the NYTB Jeffrey Cannizzo. “She was a personal friend and I sincerely enjoyed all our time spent together. I'd like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Chester and the Broman family.”
New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Tina Bond said, “We are so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She and Chester have been pillars of the New York breeding industry for so many years, and they set a standard of excellence that we all strive to meet. Mary was very much a partner in the Chestertown operations, and she was also a classy and lovely woman. Her passing is a real loss to our community.”
The Bromans also led the state's breeders list in 2023 with New York-bred earnings of $3,243,042. Hejazi, a son of Bernardini who brought $3.55 million at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-olds in training sale, was a finalist for New York-bred champion 2-year-old male honors in 2022 and earned the New York-bred 3-year-old championship in 2023. The Bromans also bred 2023 champion older female New York-bred Classy Edition (Classic Empire). Spirit of St Louis also earned finalist consideration for champion male turf honors in 2023.
The Bromans racked up New York-bred earnings of $3,157,109 in 2022, nearly $1 million more than the state's next closest breeder. Leading runners that season included New York-bred champion 2-year-old male Acoustic Ave (Maclean's Music), who raced in their familiar green and white silks.
Hejazi and Classy Edition were the 11th and 12th New York-bred champions bred by the Bromans since 2000. The group also includes 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and Grade I winners Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler), Friends Lake (A.P. Indy) and $1,403,536-earner and multiple stakes winner Mr. Buff (Friend or Foe). Bar of Gold, who retired with earnings of more than $1.55 million, and Mr. Buff won multiple titles and rank in the top 30 among all-time New York-bred earners.
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