Harris Farms will sell off 90 horses, downsize Calif. breeding
California’s already reeling breeding industry will take a big hit starting next Thursday when Harris Farms sells off 90 horses after last month’s death of legendary breeder John Harris.
“The major reduction of Harris Farms, the Thoroughbred operation of leading California breeder and owner John C. Harris, will be conducted on Fasig-Tipton digital Aug. 14-19,” a news release said Wednesday.
Prominent Calif. breeder Harris dies at 81.
The 330-acre Harris Farm will be converted to vegetable land by next summer, according to Daily Racing Form. What remains of the horse operation will be consolidated at Harris’s 140-acre property about 65 miles away in Sanger, Calif.
Thoroughbreds being auctioned include horses of racing age, breeding stock and mares in foal. They represent a partial dispersal of the Coalinga, Calif., farm operated by Harris, 81, who died July 3.
“John Harris was a pillar of racing both in California and nationally,” Fasig-Tipton digital-sales director Leif Aaron said in the news release. “We are honored to be entrusted with the reduction of Mr. Harris’s breeding and racing stock, which he carefully cultivated for more than 40 years. These offerings present prospective buyers with a rare opportunity to access bloodlines that have seldom been available in the commercial marketplace.”
Harris took the reins of his family’s Thoroughbred operation in 1981 after the death of his father Jack Harris. He expanded the Harris Thoroughbred operation to become one of California’s premier stallion farms, standing such stallions as Cee’s Tizzy, sire of Horse of the Year Tiznow; Lucky Pulpit, sire of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome; and Unusual Heat, a leading California sire by earnings. Prominent sires Moscow Ballet and High Brite also stood at Harris Farms.
Alone or in partnership, Harris campaigned Soviet Problem, California horse of the year who finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint; Unzip Me, a multiple graded-stakes winner who finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint; Grade 1 winner Alphabet Kisses; and graded-stakes winners Closing Remarks, Lucky J.H. and High Standards.
Since 2000, Harris runners have won 695 races for earnings of more than $22 million.