Jack Owens, former chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, dies

Jack Owens, a longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder and former chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, died on Nov. 21 of a heart attack, according to a statement released by the TOC on Thursday.

Owens was 78.

Owens was based in Northern California and had served as a member of the TOC’s board of directors since 1995, the organization’s first full year of operation. The TOC is the state’s official representative of Thoroughbred horsemen.

Owens chaired the organization for six years and served on the board of directors until July, when he did not seek reelection.

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An attorney, Owens served on various TOC committees regarding legislation and purses.

On his own, Owens raced Congo Kaye, who won the 2008 Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at Pleasanton.

In partnerships, Owens campaigned Sharp Miss, who won the 2003 Fairfield Stakes at the Solano County Fair in Vallejo; City by the Bay, who won three stakes in California and Washington; and English Royal, who was second in the California State Fair Sprint at Sacramento in 2012 and third in the 2013 running.

Nick Alexander, a former TOC chairman and an owner and breeder in California, described Owens in the statement as “the resident TOC historian.”

“He loves his family, his horses and the sport,” Alexander said.

Owens owned Riveroak Ranch in Modesto, Calif.

Born in Orange, Calif., Owens was executive vice-president and general counsel for Gallo Winery for more than 25 years.

Owens is survived by his wife, Barbara, four children and four grandchildren. A celebration of life is scheduled at the family’s ranch at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18.

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