Texas breeder Norman dies at 65

Robert Norman, a prominent owner, breeder, and trainer based in Tyler, Texas, died Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 65.

Norman, along with his wife, Patricia, owned and operated Auburn Creek Farm in Tyler, Texas, a 200-acre breeding and training center. The farm is home to Rachel's Viva, last year's co-champion 2-year-old filly in Texas who won three stakes for the Normans, including the $172,000 Silver Spur at Lone Star Park near Dallas.

Norman, who was in the oil and gas business before devoting himself to racing full-time, took out his trainer's license in 1987. He moved from Louisiana to Texas in 1993, and last year he and his wife were the state's leading earners of incentive awards in the accredited Texas-bred breeding program. Other stakes winners Norman raced include Colonel Mac Mac and Castles 'n Kings.