Bronzine, of Sarum Farm, dies

Sarum Farm owner Roger Bronzine, who bred more than 40 stakes-winners alone or in partnership, died June 6 of an unspecified illness. He was 68.

A decorated Vietnam veteran with the U.S. Air Force, the New York native intitially bred Thoroughbreds with his late wife Neenya at Ionian Farm in Morriston, Fla., which Bronzine had launched in 1978 with George Andrews and Arthur Pappas. Later, with his wife, Sandra, and daughters Katheryn, Patricia, and Michelle, he operated Sarum Farm in Paris, Ky. Sarum Farm built its name as a commercial breeder, but Bronzine also had success as a pinhooker. In 2002, an Arch-Mixed Appeal colt he bought for $22,000 as a yearling brought $660,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Calder auction.

Bronzine rarely raced Sarum-bred stock, but one homebred who gave the stable some racing fun was Gatorize. After failing to sell her, Bronzine put together a partnership.

“She only weighs 900 pounds,” he once said, “but 500 pounds of that is heart.” The Exploit mare went on to become stakes-placed and earned more than $154,000.

Stakes-winners Bronzine bred or co-bred include Explosive Wagon, Jimmy Simms, and Ferrari Pisa, among numerous others.