Obituary: Porter Campaigned Multiple Champions

Rick Porter, whose Fox Hill Farms campaigned multiple champions including 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace , has died. He was 80.

Porter had battled cancer in various forms for over two decades. The past six years had been particularly taxing.

Porter was proud of his stable's accomplishments. Fox Hill Farms campaigned 20 graded stakes horses led by Havre de Grace  and two-time champion filly Songbird . His filly Eight Belles  finished second in the 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Round Pond  won the 2006 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). 

He also campaigned classic-placed grade 1 winner Hard Spun   as well as multiple grade 1 winners Omaha Beach   and Kodiak Kowboy . 

Victoria Keith, of Fox Hill Farms, noted that besides his outstanding list of horses, Porter took great pride in outstanding stewardship of his stable.

"His horses' well-being was always his top priority over any trophy," she said in a release. "He believed in transparency, sharing vet reports publicly and being open with injuries and considerations regarding stable management. 

"He encouraged fan interaction, making them feel part of the team. He welcomed the challenge of the best meeting the best on the track, resulting in some of the most memorable match-ups of the past decades. His empathy for horses in need led to the founding of the National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization, which has rehomed more than 250 at-risk horses in the past few years. His Fox Hill Farm(s) became synonymous with excellence and ethical ownership."

Funeral arrangements are pending.