Latest news with #HarrisFarms
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
John C. Harris, California horse breeder and owner of Harris Farms, dies at 81
John C. Harris, California horse-racing mogul, had a particular love for the thoroughbred breeding and racing sector of his company, Harris Farms. Multiple horses that were raised and trained at Coalinga-based Harris Farms went on to become national champions, including Tiznow, the 2000 Horse of the Year, and California Chrome, a national Hall of Fame racehorse. A close friend recounted Harris' reaction to the latter thoroughbred winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby. The moment California Chrome sprinted over the finish line, tears streamed down Harris' face. 'It was just knowing that his farm had such a major role,' said his good friend 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 who knew Harris described him as an acclaimed rancher, farmer and horse-racing enthusiast who devoted himself to his passions to the end. Harris Farms confirmed his death in a statement shared on July 3. No details, including cause of death, were provided. Harris was born on July 14, 1943, and resided in Fresno County all of his life. He earned a degree in agricultural production at UC Davis before serving in the U.S. Army for two years. Harris took ownership of Harris Farms following his father's death in 1981. He oversaw all operations of the ranch, which encompasses a thriving farm that produces more than 30 types of crops including garlic, pistachios and wine grapes, as well as the horse-breeding operation, according to its website. Harris Farms was known for the beef it produced, but the cattle-raising portion of the business was sold in 2019. Harris nurtured a steadfast passion for horse racing and the thoroughbred breeding industry in Northern California, according to friends and family. He was a former president and board member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Assn. and served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the National Jockey Club. According to those who worked with him, he shaped the horse-racing industry into what it is today. 'He had a love for the land, everything from farming to raising horses,' said Burge, the current president of the CTBA, who knew Harris as a mentor and friend for more than 30 years. Harris was a longtime, dedicated advocate for the agricultural industry, according to Oscar Gonzalez, the vice chairman of the California Horse Racing Board who previously served as assistant secretary of Agriculture during the Biden administration. 'Mr. Harris was just a phone call away,' he said. '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 of Harris' last advocacy efforts was just a couple of weeks ago, when he fought to reinstate live horse racing at the Big Fresno Fair, a proposal that was ultimately 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 said, according to the Business Journal. Justin Oldfield, a thoroughbred breeder and a chairman of the CTBA, said that Harris wanted everyone in the industry to be successful, always offering mentorship and help to those who needed it. 'For as successful as a businessman as he was, you would have never have known it from the way he treated you,' Oldfield said. 'John was an extremely humble, down-to-earth individual that treated everyone with respect, treated everyone like they had value.' He said that he once went to a horse racing industry event honoring Harris with more than 3,000 attendees. 'I can't even imagine how many people are gonna be at his funeral,' Oldfield said. Harris is survived by his wife, Cookie, and others 'whose lives were enriched by his strength of character and enduring compassion,' the statement from Harris Farms said.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
John C. Harris, California horse breeder with ties to 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, dies at 81
COALINGA, Calif. — John C. Harris, a breeder of thoroughbreds whose Harris Farms foaled and raised 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, has died. He was 81. John C. Harris, California horse breeder with ties to 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, dies at 81 He died Wednesday, according to Harris Farms. No cause of death or location was provided. Harris didn't breed either California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year, or Tiznow, but both spent their early years at his Coalinga farm in California's San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Both horses were elected to the sport's Hall of Fame. California Chrome was the first California-bred to win the Derby since 1962. The colt went on to win the Preakness, but had his Triple Crown bid derailed in the Belmont. Harris Farms stood many leading California sires, including Unusual Heat, Cee's Tizzy, Lucky Pulpit, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation and Smiling Tiger. Harris was born on his family's farm on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He served for two years in the Army. He became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms in 1981 following the death of his father, Jack, and led the ranch for decades, including Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Ranch Beef Co., Harris Feeding Co., Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division and Harris Fresh. Harris was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting his alma mater as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. He donated horses to a program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga that gives horses and prisoners a new start through its vocational training program. 'Mr. Harris' foresight, courage and willingness to invest his energy and assets in making our sport be better and rise higher in the eyes of the general public was a thing of pure beauty,' the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said in a statement. 'We owe him a great debt for dedicating his life to the marvelous animals we all love.' Harris served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board for three years and was a longtime board member and former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a member of the California Racing Hall of Fame. 'No one understood and appreciated the intersection of agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding and racing more than John, who was a farmer at heart,' Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said in a statement. 'His presence was felt from his native California, to the farms and sales rings he frequented in central Kentucky, and all the way to Washington, D.C., where he helped shape and support the industry's federal policies.' Harris was involved in horse breeding and racing for more than 50 years. He gave trainer Carla Gaines her first horse in 1989 and she went on to train numerous stakes winners for Harris Farms. 'His contributions to the thoroughbred industry in our state cannot be overstated and his support was unwavering,' Santa Anita Park said in a statement. 'The green and white Harris Farms silks were omnipresent in Santa Anita's winner's circle and the legacy of the man they represent will be everlasting.' Harris is survived by his wife, Cookie. horse racing: /hub/horse-racing This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
John C. Harris, California horse breeder with ties to 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, dies at 81
COALINGA, Calif. (AP) — John C. Harris, a breeder of thoroughbreds whose Harris Farms foaled and raised 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, has died. He was 81. He died Wednesday, according to Harris Farms. No cause of death or location was provided. Harris didn't breed either California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year, or Tiznow, but both spent their early years at his Coalinga farm in California's San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Both horses were elected to the sport's Hall of Fame. California Chrome was the first California-bred to win the Derby since 1962. The colt went on to win the Preakness, but had his Triple Crown bid derailed in the Belmont. Harris Farms stood many leading California sires, including Unusual Heat, Cee's Tizzy, Lucky Pulpit, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation and Smiling Tiger. Harris was born on his family's farm on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He served for two years in the Army. He became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms in 1981 following the death of his father, Jack, and led the ranch for decades, including Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Ranch Beef Co., Harris Feeding Co., Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division and Harris Fresh. Harris was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting his alma mater as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. He donated horses to a program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga that gives horses and prisoners a new start through its vocational training program. 'Mr. Harris' foresight, courage and willingness to invest his energy and assets in making our sport be better and rise higher in the eyes of the general public was a thing of pure beauty,' the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said in a statement. 'We owe him a great debt for dedicating his life to the marvelous animals we all love.' Harris served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board for three years and was a longtime board member and former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a member of the California Racing Hall of Fame. 'No one understood and appreciated the intersection of agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding and racing more than John, who was a farmer at heart,' Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said in a statement. 'His presence was felt from his native California, to the farms and sales rings he frequented in central Kentucky, and all the way to Washington, D.C., where he helped shape and support the industry's federal policies.' Harris was involved in horse breeding and racing for more than 50 years. He gave trainer Carla Gaines her first horse in 1989 and she went on to train numerous stakes winners for Harris Farms. 'His contributions to the thoroughbred industry in our state cannot be overstated and his support was unwavering,' Santa Anita Park said in a statement. 'The green and white Harris Farms silks were omnipresent in Santa Anita's winner's circle and the legacy of the man they represent will be everlasting.' Harris is survived by his wife, Cookie. ___ AP horse racing:
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
John C. Harris, California horse breeder with ties to 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, dies at 81
COALINGA, Calif. (AP) — John C. Harris, a breeder of thoroughbreds whose Harris Farms foaled and raised 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, has died. He was 81. He died Wednesday, according to Harris Farms. No cause of death or location was provided. Harris didn't breed either California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year, or Tiznow, but both spent their early years at his Coalinga farm in California's San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Both horses were elected to the sport's Hall of Fame. California Chrome was the first California-bred to win the Derby since 1962. The colt went on to win the Preakness, but had his Triple Crown bid derailed in the Belmont. Harris Farms stood many leading California sires, including Unusual Heat, Cee's Tizzy, Lucky Pulpit, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation and Smiling Tiger. Harris was born on his family's farm on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He served for two years in the Army. He became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms in 1981 following the death of his father, Jack, and led the ranch for decades, including Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Ranch Beef Co., Harris Feeding Co., Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division and Harris Fresh. Harris was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting his alma mater as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. He donated horses to a program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga that gives horses and prisoners a new start through its vocational training program. 'Mr. Harris' foresight, courage and willingness to invest his energy and assets in making our sport be better and rise higher in the eyes of the general public was a thing of pure beauty,' the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said in a statement. 'We owe him a great debt for dedicating his life to the marvelous animals we all love.' Harris served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board for three years and was a longtime board member and former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a member of the California Racing Hall of Fame. 'No one understood and appreciated the intersection of agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding and racing more than John, who was a farmer at heart,' Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said in a statement. 'His presence was felt from his native California, to the farms and sales rings he frequented in central Kentucky, and all the way to Washington, D.C., where he helped shape and support the industry's federal policies.' Harris was involved in horse breeding and racing for more than 50 years. He gave trainer Carla Gaines her first horse in 1989 and she went on to train numerous stakes winners for Harris Farms. 'His contributions to the thoroughbred industry in our state cannot be overstated and his support was unwavering,' Santa Anita Park said in a statement. 'The green and white Harris Farms silks were omnipresent in Santa Anita's winner's circle and the legacy of the man they represent will be everlasting.' Harris is survived by his wife, Cookie. ___ AP horse racing:
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
How the unpredictable weather is affecting local farmers
From heavy rains to sudden jumps in temperature, the unpredictable weather is taking a toll on local farmers. 'It's the best day of the year. In fact, it's summer now, spring is gone, winter is gone... this is summer, sleeves are up,' shared Andy Selin a Barrie resident. A wet and otherwise grey month of May has affected more than people's plans to hit the beach. The people who grow our food say they are rearing to get going. 'We are probably a week behind on some stuff, uhm, but then on other stuff we are perfectly on time,' shared a member of Harris Farms. The first crop of the year at Harris Farms on George Johnson Road is asparagus. It's for sale Monday night. Next up to go in the ground are tomatoes. Staff keeping a very close eye on the weather. Asparagus. The first crop of the year at Harris Farms on George Johnson Road is asparagus on May 26, 2025. (CTV News/Rob Cooper) 'We like to see a rain every week. We don't care if its during the day or during the night we'll take a rainfall every week,' said a member of Harris Farms. Environment Canada says May was clearly one of the wettest in recent memory. Dave Phillips with Environment Canada says, 'The second week of May we had temperatures that were almost six or seven degrees warmer than normal. Last week, I mean, six degrees colder than normal with a lot more rain,' he said. 'It will be about mid July before we can harvest these onions,' said Kyle Swales from Sunny Nature Farms. Over at Sunny Nature Farms in Midland farmers are liking what they see so far and this short break from rain will help them get back in the field planting. 'It would be nice if we have a little bit more sun but kind of take it as she comes so we have some carrots to put in the ground here soon and and we'll just kind of take the weather as she goes,' Swales continued. Brace yourself for more of the same cloudy wet conditions until the weekend. After that, Dave Phillips with Environment Canada says get ready for hotter than normal summer months.
