California Owner, Past CTBA President Barr Dies at 93

John Barr, prominent California breeder and owner for the past half century and past president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, died Feb. 5. He was 93.

Barr and wife, Betty, of Anaheim, Calif., raced under the nom de course Oakcrest Stable. In addition to his 25 years of service on the CTBA board of directors, Barr served as president and director of the Oak Tree Racing Association, the Board of Stewards of The Jockey Club, and for five years on the board of directors for Breeders' Cup.

In addition, the Army veteran served on the board of directors and was the treasurer of the Richard Nixon President Library and Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda, Calif.

At the racetrack, Barr's stable included California Cup Distaff winner Bountiful Dreamer, multiple stakes winner Bob's Lady, stakes winner and prolific broodmare Beverly Z., Real Good Deal Stakes winner Waingarth and Fran's Valentine Stakes winner Bert's Melody.

In a 2016 California Thoroughbred profile, Barr explained that his career, which began in the oil business, transitioned to real estate development, affording him the opportunity to pursue his passion of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds.

Barr had served as a business professional and corporate manager in the Southern California area for the past four decades. He served as a principal of the Pacific Land Company of Paramount, Calif., owner of J&B Investments, and a partner at Barr Properties.