Richard Bomze, owner-breeder of Fourstardave, dies at 76

Richard Bomze, a champion New York breeder who campaigned millionaire full brothers Fourstardave and Fourstars Allstar, died Tuesday night at his home in Hollywood, Fla., after a long battle with emphysema. He was 76.

Bomze was owner and president of Star Sports Corp., which published American Turf Monthly. He also owned a phone service company, Sports Reporter, which made selections on professional sports.

He got involved in horse ownership in the 1980s and was New York state’s top breeder in 1990, 1991, and 1993.

Bomze is best known as the breeder and owner of multiple stakes winners Fourstardave and Fourstars Allstar, both of whom were progeny of the stallion Compliance and the mare Broadway Joan. Bomze purchased Broadway Joan for $2,500 at a Belmont Park paddock sale.

Fourstardave, who won 21 of 100 starts and earned $1.6 million, became known as the “Sultan of Saratoga,” having won a race at the Spa for eight straight meets from 1987-1994. Fourstars Allstar won 14 of 59 races, earned $1.5 million and became the first U.S-based horse to win a European classic when he won the 1991 Irish 2000 Guineas. Both horses were trained by Leo O’Brien.

“He loved, it, he absolutely loved it,” O’Brien said of Bomze’s success with Fourstardave and Fourstars Allstar. “He was a good man. He was the head of the [New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association] and he was always fighting with NYRA, always trying to get more for the horsemen.”

Bomze is survived by his wife, Diane, two daughters, Dana and Jennifer, and four grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Sunday at 10 a.m. at Parkside Memorial Chapel at 98-60 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, N.Y., followed by burial at Old Montefiore Cemetery.