Thomas R. "Tommy" Bell Jr. Dies at 93

Thomas R. "Tommy" Bell Jr., a former trainer of several stakes winners whose family has been instrumental in California racing for decades, died June 24. He was 93.

The son of World Champion saddle bronc rider Thomas R. "Ray" Bell Sr., Tommy is the father of current Southern California-based trainer Thomas R. "Ray" Bell II. The family's Bell Bloodstock Company brokered horse sales that included Tomy Lee, the Kentucky Derby winner of 1959.

One of the best horses Tommy trained was Rumbo, a 1977 California-bred son of Ruffinal out ofIrreproachable, by Windy Sands. Rumbo won a division of the 1980 Santa Catalina Stakes, and in the run-up to that year's Kentucky Derby (G1), he ran third in the San Felipe Handicap (G2) and second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Hollywood Derby (G1). Rumbo closed late in the Kentucky Derby, but he missed catching the filly Genuine Risk by a length and finished second.

Tommy and his father selected Barberstown out of the 1981 Del Mar yearling sale for $100,000. Ray liked the Cal-bred son of Gummo out of Available Miss, by Bolinas Boy, so much that he told Tommy, "Whatever it takes, let's buy him." Tommy's son, Ray, trained Barberstown early in his career, when the colt won the 1983 Will Rogers Handicap (G3) and finished third in that year's Belmont Stakes (G1).

Tommy's trainees included Silver Eagle (IRE), who defeated champion John Henry in the 1979 Carleton F. Burke Handicap (G2T). Bell was also involved with 1980 El Dorado Handicap (G3) winner Cactus Road. 

After his training career, Tommy Bell continued working for many years as a successful bloodstock agent. Ray Hussa recalls their 27-year partnership was done just with a handshake with nary an argument.

"Bell would find the horses for us to market to our partners, including Louis Block, William Buster, Darrell Lewis, and Fog City Stables," said Hussa.

In later years, Bell frequented Clockers' Corner at Santa Anita Park, often with his small dog. Hussa frequently listened to many stories told by Bell, Mel and Warren Stute, Barry Abrams, and B. Wayne Hughes, all now deceased. Bell's stories in some cases harkened back to his youth when his father was working as a stuntman in Hollywood on many Westerns.

"When Bell was in high school, he planned a date with young Elizabeth Taylor," Hussa remembered. "Tom's dad wouldn't loan him his convertible, and all he owned was an old smokin' jalopy. 'What happened?' said B. Wayne Hughes. Bell: 'I had to cancel the date!' At Clockers' Corner, most of us listened intently. Cowboys and billionaires got respect."