Report: Owner-breeder Helen Kleberg Groves dies at 94

Helen Kleberg Groves, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder among her other achievements in the horse world, passed away May 6 at age 94. BloodHorse reported that she died peacefully at her home in San Antonio, Texas.

The only daughter of Robert J. ("Bob") Kleberg and Helen Campbell Kleberg, she was born into a prominent horse family. Helen Kleberg Groves was raised on her father's King Ranch: home of Assault, who won the 1946 Triple Crown as a King Ranch homebred. Groves wrote a memoir of her life on the ranch, entitled Bob and Helen Kleberg of King Ranch.

Like her father, Helen Kleberg Groves also owned and bred Thoroughbreds at the top level. Her first major Thoroughbred racehorse was Saidam, a multiple stakes winner who also placed in the Carter and Suburban Handicaps in 1963, and the Met Mile in 1964. However, her deepest legacy will live on through the female families she developed.

In partnership with her daughter Helen Alexander and David Aykroyd, Groves bred Althea, an Alydar daughter out of the important Never Bend mare Courtly Dee. Althea was a three-time Grade 1 winner, including a victory against males in the 1984 Arkansas Derby (G1). Althea's daughter Aurora (Danzig), Grade 3-placed in her own right, produced Super Derby (G1) winner and stallion Arch (Kris S.), Spinster (G1) winner Acoma (Empire Maker), as well as Antics (Unbridled), the unraced dam of champion female sprinter Covfefe.

Groves also purchased the mare Mochila (In Reality), in foal to Fappiano, from a Tartan Farms and John Nerud dispersal in 1987. That Fappiano foal, Serape, went on to win the Ballerina (G1) for Groves. Mochila also produced Trensa (Giant's Causeway), who was Grade 3-placed in Groves's colors. Trensa went on to produce multiple Group 1 winner Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) and Grade 1 winner Free Drop Billy (Union Rags), both bred and sold by Groves.

In addition to her work with Thoroughbreds, Groves was also involved in other equine disciplines. She was an accomplished rider, raising and campaigning champion cutting horses. She earned the nickname "First Lady of Cutting", and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1998.

As reported by BloodHorse, Groves' memorial service will be held Tuesday, May 17 at First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas.