California racing community reacts to passing of Beverly Lewis

The Southern California racing community reacted with great sadness earlier this week upon learning of the passing of beloved owner Beverly J. Lewis, who succumbed to a lengthy illness on Oct. 20 at the age of 90.

Inseparable from her longtime husband Robert, who passed away at age 81 in February, 2006, Beverly Lewis was known for her graciousness, ready smile and accessibility to racing media, track officials and fans.

Owners of the winners of two Kentucky Derbies, Silver Charm in 1997 and Charismatic in 1999, Bob and Beverly Lewis were synonymous with the very best the sport had to offer and were tireless in their efforts to improve conditions and elevate the overall racing product in California. Additionally, the Lewises contributed untold millions to fund cancer treatment and research, evidenced by the Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center of Pomona Valley Hospital.

In addition to their two Kentucky Derby victories, the Lewises also won three Preakness Stakes, one Belmont, three Breeders’ Cup races, the Dubai World Cup, and had six of their horses win Eclipse Awards, including Charismatic, who was voted Horse of the Year in 1999.

Additionally, the Lewises were honored with the “Big Sport of Turfdom Award” in 1995, and in 1997, the couple was honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit.

Beverly Lewis has been honored in recent years with the Beverly J. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos and upon Bob Lewis’ passing on Feb. 17, 2006, Santa Anita Park announced plans to re-name the Grade II Santa Catalina Stakes, for three year old Derby prospects at a mile and one sixteenth, the Robert B. Lewis Memorial—thus becoming only the third race in Santa Anita history at that point in time to be named for an individual.

“Bob’s overriding concern was always to try and do the best thing, to do that which would most benefit our industry and those who worked in it,” said Ron Charles, who served as Santa Anita Park President at that time. “He treated everyone with dignity and respect, and time and time again he went out of his way to help people, and he was always accessible to those in need.”