Edward Nahem, owner, dies at age 64

Edward Nahem, an art dealer and Thoroughbred owner and breeder, died on Wednesday of liver failure at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., according to his attorney, Roger Licht.

Nahem was 64. He had been in declining health in recent months.

Nahem was a fixture at Southern California racetracks since moving from his native New York in the 1980s. By far the most prominent horse he owned was Bertrando, the champion handicap horse of 1993.

Bertrando, owned in partnership, won 9 of 24 starts and $3,185,610 during a career that spanned from 1991 to 1995. After his racing career, Bertrando became a leading stallion in California. He is the leading stallion in California for 2007 with progeny earnings of more than $3.5 million.

Nahem, who bred Bertrando, retained an ownership stake in the horse for his stallion career.

Bilo, owned and bred by Nahem, is entered in Saturday's California Cup Sprint. Bilo won the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park in July.

According to Licht, no funeral is scheduled. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. Nahem is survived by a son, Damon Nahem.