Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning owner Paul Pompa Jr. died Oct. 9 at age 62, Pompa's cousin-in-law and stable manager Jerry McClenin confirmed.
Pompa and IEAH Stables campaigned 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Big Brown . He also campaigned Garden City Stakes (G1T) winner Backseat Rhythm, Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) hero Connect , and in partnerships Prioress Stakes (G1) victress Franny Freud and multiple grade 1-winning filly Stardom Bound.
Big Brown was purchased for $190,000 from Eddie Woods' consignment at the 2007 Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Woods also broke graded stakes winners such as Connect and Regal Glory for Pompa before they went on to the racetrack.
Other graded stakes winners for Pompa include grade 2 scorer Mary's Follies, who then produced Pompa's homebred and multiple graded stakes winners Night Prowler and Regal Glory. Pompa was the breeder of Cafe Pharoah, a multiple grade 3 winner in Japan this year, and he raced five-time grade 2 winner D'Funnybone.
In recent years, Pompa has had horses in training with Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, and Linda Rice. He was also a big supporter of New Vocations, McClenin said.
Pompa is survived by his wife, Elisa, and sons Michael and Paul III.
Arrangements are pending.
This story will be updated.