Renowned photographer Katey Barrett passes at 90

Katey Barrett’s equine photography was easy to find in the homes and workplaces of Southern California racing fans.

Barrett, who died Sunday at the age of 90, was a vital contributor to Santa Anita’s annual calendar for more than three decades, arguably the most popular racetrack giveaway in the nation.

The highly sought-after calendars were distributed on Dec. 26, the opening day of the track’s winter-spring meeting and one of the most anticipated days of the year. Opening day often draws tens of thousands of fans, most of whom go home with a keepsake calendar.

Barrett, whose death was announced by Santa Anita on Thursday, was a native of Minnesota who had a background in television and film, with credits on such programs as "Dragnet," "My Three Sons," "Family Affair," "Bonanza," and "Mission Impossible" in the 1950s and 1960s.

Barrett developed an interest in photography in those years, and was drawn to racing through television producer and horse owner, Ed Friendly, according to a biography on the Internet Movie Database.

The involvement led to professional work for Santa Anita for more than three decades, the track said in an obituary released on Thursday.

Barrett died of cancer and had recently been in hospice career, according to her sister, Jane Barrett.

Away from racing, Katey Barrett was active with a California-based wild horse sanctuary. At her request, there will be no memorial service.

Donations in her honor are being accepted at Wild Horse Sanctuary, which can be reached via email at info@wildhorsesanctuary.org.