Jess Jackson Dies at Age 81

A sad day in the horse racing world with the news of the passing of Jess Jackson, the dynamic owner of Rachel Alexandra and Curlin on April 21, 2011. Mr. Jackson was 81 and died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

I remember seeing him on television at several of Rachel's races, wearing a baseball cap to cover his head, which was bald after chemo treatments. His wife, Barbara Banke, was a guest of Gretchen Jackson two years ago at the Penn Vet luncheon at Saratoga. It was at the height of Rachel's fame and Barbara was gracious and very down to earth.

Mr. Jackson will be remembered for many horses that his Stonestreet Stables campaigned but few more glorious than Rachel Alexandra and Curlin, both Horses of the Year. Rachel, in fact is in foal to Curlin, presumably carrying the first of what Jackson called a new breed of racehorse: one that he beleived was being bred for the ability to run far as well as fast.

A true sportsman, Jackson was dedicated to the sport of racing and raced both Curlin and Rachel as older horses, giving the fans a chance to marvel at their skill and grace, rather than retire them to their respective breeding careers. It is a shame that he did not live to see that first foal.

Mr. Jackson was a founder of the Kendall Jackson Winery and the vineyard produced a limited edition Rachel Alexandra wine in 2009. He was a man of great integrity and vision and his leadership will be sorely missed.