Successful Owner/Breeder Aaron Jones Dies

Thoroughbred owner/breeder Aaron Jones, who enjoyed the heights of success on the racetrack, in breeding horses, and in the sales ring, died Sept. 22 at his Eugene, Ore., home.

The list of accomplishments by Jones, who turned 90 in 2011, is long but he reached the racing heights in 2004 when a pair of horses he bred in partnership with his wife, Marie, won Breeders' Cup races on the same day at Lone Star Park: Ashado took the Distaff (gr. I) and Speightstown   the Sprint (gr. I). Those two standouts would be named champions in their respective divisions, as Starlight Racing's Ashado took champion 3-year-old filly honors and Eugene and Laura Melnyk's Speightstown would be named champion sprinter.

In 2011 Aaron and Marie Jones saw a third horse they bred claim a Breeders' Cup victory when Drosselmeyer   won the Classic at Churchill Downs. From just five Breeders' Cup starters, Aaron and Marie Jones have three victories and earnings of $4,711,200, which ranks seventh among all breeders. WinStar Farm's Drosselmeyer also won the 2010 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

"We were very saddened to learn the news of the passing of Aaron Jones, one of the most prominent owners and breeders of his generation, and a tremendous supporter of the Breeders' Cup," the Breeders' Cup said in a statement.  "Along with his wife, Marie, Aaron bred Breeders' Cup winners Ashado, Speightstown and Drosselmeyer, and campaigned Eclipse Award winners Lemhi Gold and Tiffany Lass. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Jones family."

As a teen, Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm met Aaron Jones, and they would eventually partner for more than 30 years. He said the big day at Lone Star was a highlight of many successes for the Oregon lumber man.

"He changed my life. I was just a teenager and I was looking for a big customer, and he and Marie moved their horses to our farm," Taylor said. "They had huge success and made a lot of money, and made us a lot of money. He was a mentor to us, me and my brothers. We didn't really have the expertise for the position we were in and he gave us a lot of great advice."

From season to season, Aaron and Marie Jones maintained about 20 broodmares at Taylor Made near Nicholasville, Ky.

Ashado, who entered the Racing Hall of Fame this year, is by Saint Ballado, who Aaron and Marie Jones stood in partnership with Taylor Made. Saint Ballado finished as leading sire in 2005. Aaron and Marie Jones also campaigned grade I winner Forestry  , who they stood in his successful stallion career.

"He was just a game player; he wanted to win," Taylor said of Jones. "He had a real competitive demeanor about him and he was a very good horseman. He understood pedigrees and understood the business. If he got on a horse at the sales, he was going to buy him. He loved the business, loved the horses, loved the game."

Jones served in World War II in the Pacific and when he returned home, graduated from the University of Oregon. He owned Seneca Sawmill Company and other related companies with Marie, who he married in 1971. They launched their Thoroughbred venture that year, buying five broodmares and eight weanlings for $113,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Read profile of Jones' impact on his community and timber business

On the track, his first stakes winners were La Zanzara and Miss Musket with Charlie Whittingham in the mid-1970s. In 1982, his Lehmi Gold was named champion older male, and 1986 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Tiffany Lass was voted champion 3-year-old filly. In 2000, Jones picked up another championship with Riboletta, who was selected champion older female.

Other major stakes winners include Valdez, Forest Camp, Sir Pele, Prime Timber, Plenty of Light, Sunriver, Master Command, and Forest Danger. Jones also had shares in Unbridled's Song, Tiznow  , Distorted Humor, and Candy Ride.

Other graded stakes winners bred by Aaron and Marie Jones include Ida Delia, Valdez, Cajun Prince, Danebo, Nikishka, and Western.

In 2005 Aaron and Marie Jones were recognized for their breeding accomplishments with the P.A.B. Widener Award, which honors top Kentucky-based breeders. Taylor said Marie Jones loves the industry and he thinks she will continue the operation.

"He was a great customer, a great partner, and a great friend," Taylor said. "He changed my life."