Owner, breeder J. Mack Robinson dies at age 90

Prominent owner/breeder J. Mack Robinson died Feb. 7 following complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was 90.

The Atlanta, Ga.-based businessman’s most notable runner was Lucky Roberto, who Robinson purchased as a 2-year-old for $100,000 in 1998. Later that year, Lucky Roberto won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes.

Other notable runners raced or bred by Robinson include Grade 3 winners Crash Course, Cherokee Queen, and Race Artist, as well as stakes winners Cherokee Artist, Indian Legend.

Robinson is also the father of Jill Robinson, owner of 1994 champion sprinter and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Cherokee Run, and was active in the management of his daughter’s horses. He purchased Cherokee Run for $85,000 at the 1992 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. February selected sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Outside of racing, Robinson had successful ventures in auto sales, finance, insurance, fashion, and banking. He was also known for his philanthropy. The organizations to which Robinson gave included Georgia State University, Westminster Schools, the High Museum of Art, United Way, and Crawford Hospital, among many others. He and his wife Nita were named Georgia Philanthropists of the Year in the National Society of Fundraising Executives in 1994.

In addition to his wife of 54 years and daughter Jill, Robinson is survived by daughter Robin, brother Marvin, and nine grandchildren.

Robinson will be buried in a private ceremony. Memorial services are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. Eastern at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta.