John C. Harris, California horse-racing mogul, had a specific love for the thoroughbred breeding and racing sector of his firm, Harris Farms.
A number of horses that have been raised and educated at Coalinga-based Harris Farms went on to grow to be nationwide champions, together with Tiznow, the 2000 Horse of the 12 months, and California Chrome, a nationwide Corridor of Fame racehorse. An in depth buddy recounted Harris’ response to the latter thoroughbred successful the 2014 Kentucky Derby.
The second California Chrome sprinted over the end line, tears streamed down Harris’ face.
“It was simply figuring out that his farm had such a significant function,” mentioned his good buddy Doug Burge. “It was in all probability probably the most enjoyable we ever had.”
Harris, who owned the multimillion-dollar agribusiness Harris Farms, has died. He was 81.
Those that knew Harris described him as an acclaimed rancher, farmer and horse-racing fanatic who devoted himself to his passions to the tip. Harris Farms confirmed his loss of life in an announcement shared on July 3. No particulars, together with explanation for loss of life, have been offered.
Harris was born on July 14, 1943, and resided in Fresno County all of his life. He earned a level in agricultural manufacturing at UC Davis earlier than serving within the U.S. Military for 2 years.
Harris took possession of Harris Farms following his father’s loss of life in 1981. He oversaw all operations of the ranch, which encompasses a thriving farm that produces greater than 30 kinds of crops together with garlic, pistachios and wine grapes, in addition to the horse-breeding operation, in keeping with its web site. Harris Farms was identified for the meat it produced, however the cattle-raising portion of the enterprise was bought in 2019.
Harris nurtured a steadfast ardour for horse racing and the thoroughbred breeding business in Northern California, in keeping with family and friends. He was a former president and board member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. and served on the board of the Thoroughbred House owners of California and the Nationwide Jockey Membership. In accordance with those that labored with him, he formed the horse-racing business into what it’s right this moment.
“He had a love for the land, all the things from farming to elevating horses,” mentioned Burge, the present president of the CTBA, who knew Harris as a mentor and buddy for greater than 30 years.
Harris was a longtime, devoted advocate for the agricultural business, in keeping with Oscar Gonzalez, the vice chairman of the California Horse Racing Board who beforehand served as assistant secretary of Agriculture through the Biden administration.
“Mr. Harris was only a cellphone name away,” he mentioned. “Once I was in Washington, D.C. … and I wanted a degree of reference or background data on a difficulty involving agriculture, or water or immigration, he was all the time any person that had context in that background.”
One among Harris’ final advocacy efforts was simply a few weeks in the past, when he fought to reinstate reside horse racing on the Massive Fresno Truthful, a proposal that was in the end unsuccessful.
“We are going to by no means hand over persevering with this storied custom of Fresno racing. At the moment’s story will not be the tip — we are going to come again once more subsequent 12 months,” Harris mentioned, in keeping with the Enterprise Journal.
Justin Oldfield, a thoroughbred breeder and a md of the CTBA, mentioned that Harris wished everybody within the business to achieve success, all the time providing mentorship and assist to those that wanted it.
“For as profitable as a businessman as he was, you’d have by no means have identified it from the best way he handled you,” Oldfield mentioned. “John was an especially humble, down-to-earth person who handled everybody with respect, handled everybody like that they had worth.”
He mentioned that he as soon as went to a horse racing business occasion honoring Harris with greater than 3,000 attendees.
“I can’t even think about how many individuals are gonna be at his funeral,” Oldfield mentioned.
Harris is survived by his spouse, Cookie, and others “whose lives have been enriched by his energy of character and enduring compassion,” the assertion from Harris Farms mentioned.
