Jim Stewart, Ex-Hollywood Park Executive, Dies

Jim Stewart, who was general manager of Hollywood Park from 1953 until 1972 and then remained in racing at both the national and international levels, died Wednesday at his Rancho Palos Verdes home after a battle with cancer.

Stewart, who would have been 84 next Tuesday, most recently was a United States representative for the International Racing Bureau in London.

Stewart became Hollywood Park’s second general manager, after Jack MacKenzie retired. Under Stewart, the track led the nation in daily average attendance and in purses paid to horsemen for 19 of his 20 years.

While at Hollywood Park, Stewart also served for two years as president of the Thoroughbred Racing Assn., a trade organization of major tracks, for two years and he was the interim director of the TRA in 1975-76.

Stewart was born in Illinois, moving during his youth to California with his family. After graduation from Stanford, Stewart had a successful real estate career, worked for the Office of Civilian Defense and joined Hollywood Park as assistant general manager in 1945.

Stewart rode and owned horses and during his tenure at Hollywood Park, he would frequently ride his gray pony, named Burley, to the stable area to meet with horsemen.

Stewart is survived by his wife, Elaine, a son, Lee, who lives in Irvine, a brother, John, who lives in South Carolina, and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel.