Notable owner, breeder Sahadi dies at 91

Fred Sahadi, a noted owner and breeder whose construction company built the Barretts Sales Company in Pomona, Calif., died on June 4 at his home in Los Gatos, Calif., near San Jose.

His death was announced on social media by his daughter, the former trainer Jenine Sahadi. Fred Sahadi died of age-related infirmities, Jenine Sahadi said.

“Six years ago, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure,” Jenine Sahadi said on Wednesday. “Typical Fred, he defied the odds.”

Fred Sahadi was born in Los Angeles on March 7, 1935. After graduating college from UCLA and from law school at the University of Southern California, Fred Sahadi worked as a general counsel for an oil firm, Jenine Sahadi said.

Fred Sahadi left that position to form a construction company that developed high-rise buildings, apartments and hotel, many in Santa Clara county, near San Jose.

In racing, Fred Sahadi was an owner and breeder who had a stud farm in Solvang, north of Santa Barbara. The farm was later relocated farther north in central California where it was initially based in Creston and later Atascadero.

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The farm stood several leading stallions in the state and had notable consignments at auctions. The farm was home to the stallion Flying Paster, who led the state’s stallions in progeny earnings.

On the track, Fred Sahadi owned such horses as King Pellinore, a multiple stakes winner trained by Charles Whittingham.

“He loved California racing,” Jenine Sahadi said. “He was such a fan. He loved to gamble.”

Sahadi was a co-owner of Barretts, which was developed on property owned by the Los Angeles County Fair. The sales facility is adjacent to the site where racing was held on county fairgrounds until 2013.

Barretts rose in prominence through the 1990s as one of the leading venues in the nation for 2-year-olds in-training sales. The facility hosted auctions for a more regional market at other times of the year.

The facility currently hosts two sales annually – a mixed sale conducted by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association in January, and a yearling sale operated by Fasig-Tipton in September. The property hosts simulcast wagering.

“Those barns were his pride and joy,” Jenine Sahadi said. “The ventilation was great. The ground was level and they were easy to keep clean.”

No services are planned, Jenine Sahadi said.

“He didn’t want a service,” she said. “We are following his wishes.”

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