Patrice Jacobs Wolfson, 87, passed away Tuesday at her home in Bal Harbour, Fla., according to several reports and confirmed at the Dignity Memorial website. Wolfson and her husband Louis owned Harbor View Farm in Fellowship, Fla., and were most famous as the owners and breeders of Florida-bred Affirmed, winner of the 1978 Triple Crown. 

An earner of $2,393,818, Affirmed won the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1) while defeating runner-up Alydar in each race in one of sports’ most heralded rivalries. Affirmed was the Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 1977, Champion 3-Year-Old Colt and Horse of the Year in 1978 and Champion Older Horse and Horse of the Year in 1979. He was inducted into the National Museum Racing and Hall of Fame in 1980.

In addition to Affirmed, Ms. Wolfson owned and bred under the Harbor View banner, Flawlessly, a daughter of Affirmed and the Champion Grass Mare in 1992 and 1993. Flawlessly was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2004. 

Born in Miami, Ms. Wolfson was the only daughter of Hall of Fame trainer Hirsch Jacobs and married Louis Wolfson in 1972. Wolfson established Harbor View in 1959 prior to marrying Patrice. The couple sold Harbor View in 1977 but raced and bred several notable stars for years after including Florida-bred Reinvested, Outstandingly and Life’s Hope.

According to reports, Ms. Wolfson had been in declining health the past few years.

According to the Dignitary Memorial website, no services are scheduled. Bloodhorse.com reported that Ms. Wolfson will be buried at Gate of Heaven cemetery in Hawthorne, N.Y.

Return to the February 27 issue of Wire to Wire