Roger King, owner, dies

Racehorse owner Roger King, whose King World Productions syndicated such television shows as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune," has died at age 63. King suffered a stroke at his Boca Raton, Fla., home on Dec. 7 and died the following day at a local hospital, according to the New York Times.

King raced stakes performers Courageous King, Bay Head King, and Lucinda K. Perhaps his best success came as breeder of Grade 2 winner Atswhatimtalknbout, a son of Lucinda K. whom he sold to B. Wayne Hughes for $900,000 at Fasig-Tipton's Calder select 2-year-old sale in 2002.

King spent lavishly for horses in the auction ring, often bidding in such a theatrical style that he drew spectators himself. At the 2001 Saratoga yearling sale, he threw up his hands and left the pavilion, exasperated after Satish Sanan made a last-minute bid to top his $1.75 million offer. After lighting up a cigarette outside, King strode back in and bought the yearling for $1.85 million. That colt, Mister C's Song, won his first start but died soon afterward.

King frequently campaigned his horses in the name of the R and R King Stable that he owned with his wife, Raemali, who survives him.