Jerry Jackson, Trained Black Ruby, Dies

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Jerry Jackson, a Thoroughbred trainer for 39 years who instead found his greatest success as the conditioner of the world's most famous racing mule, Black Ruby, died Aug. 5 from kidney failure.

Jackson, 75, had heart surgery in January, according to Black Ruby's owner, Mary McPherson. Complications, including diabetes and kidney trouble, had forced him to return to the hospital in Corning, Calif., about a month ago, she said.

Until this summer, Jackson had been present for every race Black Ruby had run for she and her husband, Sonny, since she was purchased in 1996.

Jackson trained mainly in the Northwest and on the California fair circuit, Mary McPherson said.

"He was the pioneer," she said. "He helped the whole mule racing association get on its feet. He started training mules from the start of the association (in 1995). He was training horses for years before that. He was very well liked and respected, not only in California, but throughout the West."

McPherson said she phoned Jackson the day before he died to let him know that Black Ruby had narrowly beaten her rival, Taz, in the Santa Rosa Mule Championship that day. Taz had upset Black Ruby in the same race a year ago, which was the last time she lost.

"He was very happy," she said.

The Santa Rosa race was Black Ruby's ninth consecutive win. It pushed the 10-year-old's career record to 58 wins, eight seconds, and three thirds in 69 career starts, with earnings of more than $160,000. She is scheduled to run again next week at Ferndale, the next stop on the fair racing circuit.

Jackson's assistant, Ron White, has saddled Black Ruby this summer.

McPherson said she and Sonny purchased Black Ruby after she beat their star mule Fancy, who was the 1995 3-year-old world champion, in a race in Winnemucca, Nev.

While fast, Black Ruby was stubborn about most things and hated the starting gate, often refusing to load, McPherson said. She credited Jackson with improving the mule's attitude.

Funeral services were Aug. 7. Jackson is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their children.

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