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Greg Goodman, 72, Passes; Mt. Brilliant Farm Owner Bred Belmont Stakes Winner Creator
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- Greg Goodman, 72, Passes; Mt. Brilliant Farm Owner Bred Belmont Stakes Winner Creator
Thoroughbred owner and breeder H. Greg Goodman, owner of Mt. Brilliant Farm near Lexington, Ky., died Oct. 25 in Houston, Texas. He was 72 years old.
A native of Houston, Goodman got involved with horses through his father, Harold V. Goodman, a member of the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame who owned Brazos T Farm in Brookshire, Texas. The elder Goodman owned and bred Two Altazano, a Texas-bred filly by the Brazos T stallion Manzotti who would win the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks in 1994. Harold Goodman was also instrumental in helping bring pari-mutuel racing back to Texas in the late 1980s.
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The Goodman family purchased Mt. Brilliant in 1995, shortly before Greg Goodman, upon his father's death, inherited five shares in Horse of the Year A. P. Indy, who retired to Lane's End after winning the 1992 Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic. The son of Seattle Slew would help build the foundation of the Mt. Brilliant breeding operation, which has emphasized quality over quantity. The farm's broodmare band numbers about 32, and is heavy on graded stakes winners or producers.
Among the graded stakes winners bred by Mt. Brilliant was Creator, a Tapit colt who won the 2016 Belmont Stakes, and, more recently, Gaming, a Game Winner colt who won the 2024 Del Mar Futurity. While Mt. Brilliant was largely a commercial breeder, it raced some of its homebreds, including the stakes-winning A.P. Indy filly Secret Someone, who would join the farm's broodmare band.
With a history that dates back to the late 1700s, Mt. Brilliant was meticulously restored under Goodman's ownership and now totals 1,400 acres. In 2002, Goodman acquired neighboring Faraway Farm, where the legendary racehorse Man o' War stood at stud, and restored the stallion barn to preserve it as a piece of Thoroughbred history.
Devotion to land conservation played an important part of Goodman's life, and his generous philanthropy has benefited numerous causes, from education and the arts to the environment, health care and equine welfare. In addition to being a driving force of the Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation, he served on the boards of the Markey Cancer Foundation, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Texas Thoroughbred Association, the Thoroughbred Research Institute, Sayre School, the University of Texas Health Science Center, Cleveland Clinic, Goodman Global, and Southwest Bank of Texas.
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Goodman was recently recognized as the Honor Guest of the Thoroughbred Club of America's annual Testimonial Dinner. TCA president W. Chapman Hopkins said of Goodman: "The breadth of Mr. Goodman's involvement in breeding, racing and land conservation efforts has left an indelible mark on the industry on the national and international stage. His impact on the Thoroughbred industry is matched only by his generosity in important philanthropic support, and we are honored to name him as our 2026 Honor Guest."
Breeders' Cup issued the following statement upon learning of Goodman's passing:
"We are very saddened by the passing of H. Greg Goodman, whose extraordinary generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment left an enduring mark on the Thoroughbred racing industry.
"Greg served with distinction as a Breeders' Cup Member from 2014-2025, including impactful work on both our Racing and Nominations Committee and our Investment Committee. He brought wisdom, integrity, and a genuine passion for the Thoroughbred to everything he did. His contributions extended far beyond the boardroom, reflecting a profound dedication to the people, horses, and institutions that make our sport so extraordinary.
"Greg was not only a respected leader and passionate advocate for racing, but also a cherished friend to so many. His extraordinary generosity and philanthropy strengthened our community and improved the lives of countless individuals, and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Goodman family and all who had the good fortune to know him."
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Goodman is survived by Becky, his wife of 43 years, four children and 10 grandchildren.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on Oct 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
