Clarence Scharbauer Jr., family owned Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba, dies at 88

Clarence Scharbauer Jr., whose family raced 1987 Kentucky Derby winner and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba, died Friday night in a Midland, Texas, hospital, confirmed Ken Carson, longtime manager of Scharbauer’s Valor Farm in Pilot Point, Texas. He was 88.

Scharbauer died from complications from emergency stomach surgery.

Scharbauer, a philanthropist and oilman, won last Saturday night’s Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston with his homebred Fiftyshadesofgold. She is being pointed for the Fair Grounds Oaks.

“He got to see this filly win last Saturday from Midland, and that really pleased him,” said Carson.

“He was a great man, loved horses, loved horse racing. But loved horses like kids, loved the animals. He had horses his whole life. They were a big part of his life.”

Scharbauer reached racing’s heights in 1987, when Alysheba, racing for his wife, Dorothy, and daughter, Pam, won the Kentucky Derby. The next year, his campaign earned Alysheba Horse of the Year.

Arrangements for Scharbauer are pending, said Carson.