The New York Racing Association said Wednesday he died Dec. 23 after a brief illness.
Newman's winners included Mucchina, winner of the 1978 Ashland at Keeneland Race Course; First and Only, who took the 1993 Longfellow at Monmouth Park; and So N So, winner of the 2009 Lucy Scribner at Saratoga Race Course. In the past few years, he concentrated on breeding New York-breds.
Among his trainers were Hall of Famer Frank "Pancho" Martin, Tom Bush, Jose Martin and Carlos Martin.
Son Richard Newman said the family intends to keep racing. Donald Newman is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter Rebecca; and two other sons, Matthew and Adam.