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 had been raised and educated at Coalinga-based Harris Farms went on to change into nationwide champions, together with Tiznow, the 2000 Horse of the 12 months, and California Chrome, a nationwide Corridor of Fame racehorse. A detailed 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 just knowing that his farm had such a major role,” mentioned his good buddy Doug Burge. “It was probably the most fun 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 top. Harris Farms confirmed his loss of life in an announcement shared on July 3. No particulars, together with explanation for loss of life, had 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 sorts 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 recognized 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 Homeowners of California and the Nationwide Jockey Membership. In line with those that labored with him, he formed the horse-racing business into what it’s immediately.
“He had a love for the land, everything from farming to raising 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 just a phone call away,” he mentioned. “When I was in Washington, D.C. … and I needed a point of reference or background information on an issue involving agriculture, or water or immigration, he was always somebody that had context in that background.”
One in all Harris’ final advocacy efforts was simply a few weeks in the past, when he fought to reinstate dwell horse racing on the Massive Fresno Honest, a proposal that was in the end unsuccessful.
“We will never give up continuing this storied tradition of Fresno racing. Today’s story is not the end — we will come back again next year,” Harris mentioned, in keeping with the Enterprise Journal.
Justin Oldfield, a thoroughbred breeder and a boss of the CTBA, mentioned that Harris needed everybody within the business to achieve success, all the time providing mentorship and assist to those that wanted it.
“For as successful as a businessman as he was, you would have never have known it from the way he treated you,” Oldfield mentioned. “John was an extremely humble, down-to-earth individual that treated everyone with respect, treated everyone like they had value.”
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 imagine how many people are gonna be at his funeral,” Oldfield mentioned.
Harris is survived by his spouse, Cookie, and others “whose lives were enriched by his strength of character and enduring compassion,” the assertion from Harris Farms mentioned.
