Owner-breeder Isabelle de Tomaso passes
Owned and bred Irish War Cry
Press Release
November 6, 2026
Isabelle de Tomaso, a New Jersey Thoroughbred breeder whose racing roots reached back to her father, Monmouth Park’s first president Amory Haskell, died Oct. 29 at 96, according to the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey.
Mrs. de Tomaso bred more than 100 New Jersey-breds, including graded stakes winners Irish War Cry and Irish Strait. Her involvement extended a family connection celebrated each summer in the Haskell Stakes, the race named for her father that serves as the centerpiece of Monmouth’s meet.
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That connection took on added meaning in 2017, when Irish War Cry competed in the Haskell, finishing fourth.
“Well, it couldn’t be more exciting,” she said before the race. “We never thought we’d have a horse that that good to run in this race, so it’s really great.”
Irish War Cry earned $1,257,060 during a career highlighted by victories in the 2017 Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. He added the Grade 3 Pimlico Special in 2018.
Mrs. de Tomaso’s competitive pursuits also extended well beyond Thoroughbreds. An accomplished businesswoman, she was a pioneering race car driver who regularly competed against some of the world’s leading male drivers.
De Tomaso also owned and raced numerous horses in partnership with her sister, Hope Haskell Jones.
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