Harry Knapp became involved in the sport of
Thoroughbred racing, operating with his brother, Dr. Gideon Lee Knapp, under the
nom de course, Oneck Stable. They owned a number of successful horses, among the best known of which were
Sir Walter, winner of the 1896
Brooklyn Handicap and
Fashion Plate, winner of the 1910
Metropolitan Handicap.
Walter Rollins was a long-time trainer for the Oneck Stable and was succeeded by
William Karrick. Knapp was a member of the
board of directors and a vice-chairman of
The Jockey Club and a director of the
Saratoga Racing Association. In 1906, New York governor
Frank W. Higgins appointed him chairman of the
New York State Racing Commission. Poor health forced Harry Knapp to step down from his various racing positions in 1925 and he died on February 1, 1926. In May, his racing stable was sold at auction at
Belmont Park. His son Theodore served as president of the Queens County Jockey Club from 1941 until his death in 1947. The Queens County Jockey Club owned and operated the
Aqueduct Racetrack. ==References==