Henry Fleishman Stern, co-owner of record-setting timber horse Saluter, died Tuesday, December 27, in Richmond, Va. He was 88.
He and his wife of 61 years, Ann Couch Stern, campaigned Saluter through the 1990s and into the 2000 season. One of the greatest timber horses of all time, Saluter won the National Steeplechase Association timber title four times for the Sterns and trainer-rider Jack Fisher, in 1994, 1995, 1998, and 1999. He won the Virginia Gold Cup in six consecutive years from 1994 through 1999. In all, the Virginia-bred Salutely gelding won 21 timber races, a record, and had timber earnings exceeding $400,000, also a record.
A Richmond native, Henry Stern was a Dartmouth College graduate and served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He returned to Richmond after the war and worked in the family millinery business, the Kaufman Co.
He subsequently founded a development company, and with his partner, David Arenstein, developed Three Chopt West, the Townhouse, English Hills, and Marble Hill Apartments, as well as the Innsbrook Corporate Center in Glen Ellen.
He served on the boards of several community organizations and was a director of the University of Richmond. He also served as a national trustee of Ducks Unlimited.
He was a member of Congregation Beth Ahabah in Richmond, and a graveside funeral service was to be held Friday, Dec. 30, at Hebrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the University of Richmond, Saint Christopher’s School, or the Richmond Jewish Community Federation.