A year later, he published a book-length account of the race, Jay Trump: A Steeplechasing Saga.
Mr. Winants became a regular contributor to Maryland Horse and went on to publish several additional books on steeplechasing and fox hunting. At his death, he was researching and writing a book about Theodora Randolph, a Virginia horsewoman.
"He was a steady and very solid person both professionally and personally," said Lucy Acton, editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred. "He had grown up with [horse culture] and had a tremendous background. He did what he loved."
Ross Peddicord, The Sun's former racing writer and now co-publisher of Maryland Life, was a longtime friend.
"His photos were so sharp, clear and classic, really works of art," Mr. Peddicord said. "I had heard many times that Sports Illustrated had offered Peter a job as a photographer in his heyday as a sports photographer in the 1970s, but he turned it down because he loved living in Maryland and, then later, in the Virginia horse country."
In 1972, Mr. Winants left Monkton and settled near Middleburg, Va., when he was named editor and later became publisher of Chronicle of the Horse magazine.
As he had when living in Maryland, he continued fox hunting, rode in timber races and competed in dressage events.
After stepping down from the Chronicle in 1991, he took on a new assignment when he became the director of the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, which has one of the world's largest collections of books on horses, horsemanship and equine sports.
He remained as director of the library until 1998, when he became director emeritus.
Mr. Winants returned last month to Maryland, and before the 113th running of the Maryland Hunt Cup, he was presented the S. Bryce Wing Award, given in memory of his stepfather to an individual who has made a significant contribution to timber racing in the state.
"Peter loved riding and fox hunting, and spent his whole life enjoying his passion. He was a gentleman of the old school, yet he wasn't stuffy or ever pretentious," Mr. Peddicord recalled.
"Quite the opposite. He was always in great physical shape from riding so much, adventurous and fun to be with. He was just an extraordinary person," he said.
He was a member of Aldie Presbyterian Church in Aldie, Va.
His wife of 40 years, the former Rosemary Mettle, died in 2002.
A memorial service and gathering will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the National Sporting Library.
Surviving are his wife of six years, the former Mary Weeden; three sons, Peter Winants Jr. of Blue Mountain, Va., G. Woods Winants of Middleburg, and Bryce W. Winants of Staunton, Va.; a daughter, Jennifer W. Rose of Crested Butte, Colo.; and six grandchildren.
