Harris Farms, Old English Rancho Join Forces

Saying it's a move to strengthen California racing and breeding, John Harris' Harris Farms and the Johnston family's Old English Rancho are joining forces.

Stallions to be located at the Harris Farms facility near I-5 about midway between the Bay Area and Los Angeles area include: Acclamation , Clubhouse Ride , Desert Code, Jeranimo , Lakerville , Majestic Harbor , Mr. Big, Prospect Park , Smiling Tiger , Tamarando , and Vronsky. Both farms use more than 700 irrigated acres for boarding of broodmares as well as stallions, and the development of yearlings.

Jonny Hilvers, general manager of Old English Rancho for eight years, will become general manager of the newly combined entity. Hilvers, 33, a Sanger, Calif., native, is the grandson of popular California owner and breeder Buddy Johnston and great-grandson of Ellwood "The Pie Man" Johnston, who founded Old English Rancho and became a dominant force in California racing and breeding for decades.

Harris, a 1965 graduate of the University of California at Davis, is a farmer, cattleman, beef processor, restaurateur, and enthusiastic owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds in California for over 50 years. He has been a member of The Jockey Club since 1984, serves on the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board, and is a former chairman. 

Dave McGlothlin, who started managing Harris' breeding stock in 1981, will remain as a consultant. Per Antonsen, Harris Farm's trainer for many years, will continue in that role. At Harris, he was key in the early training of champions Tiznow  and California Chrome  and many other California champions. Raul Rosas, a 30-plus-year horseman who has handled all the top Harris stallions, remains at Harris as stallion manager.

Dr. Jeanne Bowers-Lepore, a graduate of the Veterinary School at UC-Davis, has overseen Harris Farms' equine health since 1997. She is assisted by Dr. Virginia Hernandez as well as newly arrived Kristen Phillips and Ana Celdran.

Debbie Sue Winick will remain as office manager and customer relations specialist. Laurie Brown, a key player at Harris Farms for the last several years, manages the River Ranch operation near Sanger, assisted by Lindsay Miller. Patricia Langden is foaling manager and assists with sales preps as well as overall equine health issues.

"I feel incredibly blessed to have such a fine group of people come together with the common goal of producing Thoroughbreds that can compete at the very top levels," John Harris said. "Now that the drought is behind us, and by adding additional pastures, we can give horses more room and expansive grass pastures to grow up on, while still having many smaller-sized paddocks as options for various needs. 

"I want to have the best facility, the best nutritional and health programs, the best people, and the most promising stallion roster in California," Harris continued. "We want to be valued as a place to raise top horses. Jonny Hilvers will be a key ingredient to all of the mutual success I envision. He brings us solid leadership and practical excellence and represents a new generation to help lead California forward."