Pat Mahony, longtime head of NYRA mutuels deparment, dies at 78

Pat Mahony, who spent 50 years in the racing industry including several decades as the head of the mutuels department of the New York Racing Association, died Thursday at his home in Florida, according to a press release from NYRA. He was 78.

As kind and professional an individual as there was at the racetrack, Mahony followed his grandfather Mort and father, Riggs, into the parimutuel business. The three worked at tracks across the country for more than a century.

“New York’s racing community is deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Mahony, whose contributions to the fabric of NYRA and Thoroughbred racing will be long remembered, “ David O’Rourke, NYRA president/chief executive officer, said in a press release. “As vice president of mutuels, Pat’s love for the sport and unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence helped shape the industry. NYRA extends our thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Prior to joining NYRA, Mahony managed mutuel departments at race tracks in Florida, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Mahony once estimated that he spent 14,000 days at the track, watched more than 130,000 races, and was responsible for more than $20 billion that moved through the betting windows at the tracks he supervised.

Shortly before his retirement, Mahony reflected on why he chose to devote his life to racing and the parimutuel business.

“I never wanted to do anything else,” he said.

The NYRA conducts a turf sprint stakes at Saratoga in honor of Mahony.

Plans for a memorial service have yet to be determined.

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