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People On The Move: Tony Abbatiello
04/07/2009
NEW JERSEY RACING COMMISSIONER
Ever wondered how Colts Neck got its name? How about why New Jersey’s state animal is the horse? Accomplished long-time resident and recent inductee of the New Jersey Racing Association, Anthony “Tony” Abbatiello, played a large part in the answers to those questions. “A bunch of horsemen in the area got together and during our conversation we just came up with the new name Colts Neck, previously Atlantic Township. It seemed fitting,” he remembers.
Abbatiello has been living and breathing horses since the age of eight, from the time of his pony paper route in town. He is one of the most knowledgeable horsemen in the state of New Jersey. Abbatiello, a Colts Neck resident since 1946, explained that his love of horses is due in a large part to the rural settings of the community and the people who live in the town. “I have had the privilege of raising my family and watching my grandchildren grow up in this unique town. There are so many different charitable and volunteer organizations within Colts Neck that don’t even compare with those of other communities. With that said, what really makes a town is not the houses or money that it has but the character and people who live in it, and here in Colts Neck we have such wonderful people who are willing to do whatever they can to help,” he graciously said of the town.
Abbatiello’s expert knowledge of horses comes from his experience of riding, researching, racing, running a number of horse-related organizations, and owning the 400-acre Five Point Farm (where he resides) and Craig’s Restaurant in Brick. He is skilled in every aspect regarding steed, yet he is a very quaint and modest man who credits his accomplishments to his family and the people he works with. “I can’t say enough about the people who run the town. They are all an asset to Colts Neck and I am proud of them and to have served with them,” he said.
Abbatiello has traveled the world to bring his expertise to a wide array of horse-related and agricultural organizations such as the SBOA (Standard Breeders and Owners Association). He has served on the board of managers of Rutgers University and on the Advisory Committee for the Federal Land Bank, he was the former chairman of the New Jersey Sire Stakes board of directors, and he was trustee of the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C. “I feel privileged to have accomplished so much and been able to travel to so many different, beautiful places, but whenever I am away from the town I just can’t wait to get back here,” he said.
Abbatiello has achieved a great deal during his life so far and continues to set goals for himself regarding agriculture and horses. He also commits himself to making a difference in war veterans’ lives. Holding the rank of Company Commander of the Third Infantry Division of the Army during the Korean War, Abbatiello attempts to bring joy to those soldiers by visiting Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital in Valhalla, New York. “I used to go up there in my racing colors and pretend I was in a horse race just to bring a smile to the veterans’ faces. It is sad to say that most of the veterans up there are more or less forgotten soldiers,” Abbatiello said.
Regardless of Abbatiello’s modesty concerning his accomplishments, each success should be duly noted. One of his biggest accomplishments came in July 1995, when he was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame, which is specific to horsemen, in Goshen, New York. “Carmine (Abbatiello’s brother) was inducted into the Hall of Fame, too, which resulted in the first brother tandem in the Hall of Fame,” Abbatiello explained. His most recent accomplishment: former acting Governor Richard Codey nominated Abbatiello as commissioner of the New Jersey Racing Association in December 2005. Abbatiello remarked that he had had the opportunity to be a commissioner of the Association before, but declined because he was required to sell his racing horses.
Although it may seem that Abbatiello has little time for rest and relaxation, he manages to prioritize his time well, spending most of it with his wife Kathleen and three daughters.
STATS
FAVORITE FOOD:
T-bone Steak
FAVORITE ARTIST:
Reeve Stone
FAVORITE MUSICIAN:
Andre Bocelli
FAVORITE ACTOR:
Robert Di Nero
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Dr. Zhivago
PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH AND WHY:
The political comedian Will Rogers. His quote “land is a valuable thing that they just don't make anymore” inspired me to purchase land.
Winston Churchill, because he was a great hero in his day, and he also had a passion for horses. One quote of his that stuck with me is “a horse on the outside makes a man on the inside.”
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