Former Owner/Breeder Bob McNair Dies at 81
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Bob McNair in 1999
Former owner and breeder Bob McNair, who founded Stonerside Stable in 1994 with his wife Janice and owned the NFL's Houston Texans, died Nov. 23 after a battle with cancer, according to NFL.com. He was 81.
Stonerside was sold to Darley in 2008, when McNair decided to focus on his NFL franchise, the Houston Texans. Bob and Janice McNair's Stonerside won 11 grade 1 races, including five with Congaree , who twice placed in classics and earned more than $3.2 million for trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert also trained 1999 champion 2-year-old filly Chilukki for Stonerside.
"He was always a gentleman," Baffert said. "He and his wife and his son—they were all down to earth. He was a humble guy, enjoyed sports, and just liked being around the horses.
"We were just getting rolling when he bought the Texans, but we always stayed in touch and we were good friends. It's really sad. He was such a nice, classy man."
McNair founded energy company Cogen Technologies, which was sold to Enron in 1999 for $1.5 billion.
Other notable horses the McNairs campaigned include grade 1 winners Tout Charmant, Midshipman , Country Star, Bob and John, and Caffe Latte, and multiple graded winner and millionaire Cowboy Cal.