Longtime Turf Writer Jim Freer Dies at 74

Longtime turf writer and South Florida correspondent for BloodHorse Jim Freer, who covered Florida horse racing for several decades, passed away March 17 of complications from Parkinson's Disease, according to a press release from Gulfstream Park. He was 74.

Freer was passionate about the sport and business of Thoroughbred racing, particularly in Florida. Besides BloodHorse, Freer's work appeared in the Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal and, most recently, on a website he founded called HorseRacingFla.com. He also was a regular guest on industry radio and podcast shows for WDBFradio.com and espn.com. He loved attending the races, meeting owners, trainers, jockeys, and racing executives, and was always thinking of ways to publicize the sport.

A native of Upstate New York, he received a bachelor's degree in history from Holy Cross and a master's degree in journalism from Georgetown.

Freer's byline first appeared on BloodHorse.com in June 2008 when he wrote about a contentious contract dispute between the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Churchill Downs Inc. over purses and splits on future slot machine revenue at Calder Race Course. Over the year he would chronicle the demise of Calder, Frank Stronach's redevelopment of Gulfstream Park, the controversial introduction of pari-mutuel flag racing and barrel racing, and the drama around the late John Brunetti Sr.'s efforts to restore Hialeah Park's relevance in Thoroughbred racing.

Freer will be remembered for his ready supply of story ideas and the enthusiasm he put into every story. A celebration of Freer's life will be held soon at Gulfstream Park.