John C. Harris. (Benoit Photo)
Memory Of John C. Harris Lives On With Newly Christened John C. Harris Stakes At Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—Few in history have had as massive an impact on California’s Thoroughbred industry as John Harris. Up until his death in July at the age of 81, the late owner of Harris Farms in central California remained immersed in all facets of the sport he loved. To honor Harris’s immense legacy, Santa Anita on Saturday will host what is now known as the John C. Harris Stakes. For 3-year-old fillies at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course, the race was previously named the Unzip Me Stakes in honor of the top racemare Harris co-bred and campaigned in partnership.
“John Harris’s contributions to the Thoroughbred industry in our state cannot be overstated and his support was unwavering,” Santa Anita 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.”
In addition to being one of California’s top owners and breeders for decades, Harris also helped shape the sport through leadership positions in a variety of industry organizations including the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association where he was a past president.
“John was a huge advocate for horse racing and served on nearly every board that has existed,” CTBA President Doug Burge said. “His leadership and dedication made Harris Farms one of the leading Thoroughbred farms in the state.”
Harris also was a member of the Jockey Club, a member of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors and served on the California Horse Board from 2000-2011 including two stints as chairman.
“California racing was very fortunate to have his devotion and support over the years, and he will be missed dearly. He was a legend,” Burge said.
At the top of mind now for many now is what the future holds for Harris Farms as a Thoroughbred operation. There were routinely more than 350 Thoroughbreds on the farm at any given time, including boarders, broodmares and stallions, as well as dozens of Harris Farms’ homebreds in training at racetracks spread across multiple trainers.
While those kinds of numbers won’t remain—a reduction in Thoroughbred holdings is already underway- Harris Farms CEO Darren Filkins assured this week “Harris Farms remains steadfast in our commitment to honoring John Harris and his vision.
“We will continue to breed and raise competitive Thoroughbred racehorses on our farm,” Filkins said. “The industry should expect to see the Harris Farms silks well-represented at tracks throughout California, Arizona and perhaps beyond.”
Filkins will be part of a large contingent from Harris Farms at Santa Anita Saturday to watch the first-ever John C. Harris Stakes. It goes as the 10th and final race with post time set for 5:38 p.m. PT.
“All of us at Harris Farms are very appreciative of Santa Anita’s generosity in honoring John,” Filkins said. “We’ll have a large group of employees in attendance. Santa Anita was always one of his favorite venues. There were so many special moments and performances celebrated there.”
Among those who will be in attendance Saturday is Harris’s wife, Cookie.
Passion for Racing
A fourth-generation farmer, Harris was born in Fresno on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He also served two years in the Army.
Harris’s father, Jack Harris, delved into Thoroughbred ownership in the 1950s and his son would soon follow suit. According to reports, John Harris had his first winner as an owner at just 18 years of age.
In 1981, John Harris became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms. He would elevate it into one of the top Thoroughbred operations in California.
During his stewardship, Harris Farms raised 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow. Neither were bred by Harris Farms but spent their formative years being reared on expansive property.
Harris Farms also stood many of California’s top stallions over the years including Cee’s Tizzy, sire of Tiznow; Lucky Pulpit, sire of California Chrome; Unusual Heat, Smiling Tiger and Eclipse Award winner Acclamation. All nine of Harris Farms’ current stallions will be relocated.
Some of the top performers on the track owned by Harris either solely or in partnership were Soviet Problem, Moscow Burning, Alphabet Kisses, Work the Crowd and more recently, Closing Remarks.
Homebred Closing Remarks, a five-time stakes winner trained by Carla Gaines, was the California-bred champion 3-year-old filly in 2021 and older female in 2023. With wins including the GII Goldikova in 2023, Closing Remarks retired with $1,000,820 in earnings.
Gaines was among a roster of trainers Harris would employ at any given time. It was in 1989, when Gaines was working at the sales, that she mentioned to Harris that she wanted to go out on her own and be a trainer. It was Harris who would provide her first horse.
“His first love was always racing. We had so many good times and so many good horses,” Gaines said. “Most importantly for me is he got me started and then stuck with me. He was just a very good client and a great friend.”
The John C. Harris Stakes is one of five graded stakes set for a blockbuster 10-race card Saturday at Santa Anita. First post is 1 p.m. PT. Tickets are now available at santaanita.com.
