Texas Breeder/Owner J.R. Preston Dies

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J.R. Preston, who campaigned classic winner and champion Victory Gallop with younger brothers Art and Jack, died Wednesday at his San Angelo, Texas, home. He was 74.

The Preston brothers, who operated as a team in racing and in business, privately bought Victory Gallop as a 2-year-old in the fall of 1997. The following spring, Victory Gallop ran second in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) before winning the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Victory Gallop finished third in Eclipse Award for top 3-year-old male.

The following year, Victory Gallop was voted champion older male after winning the Whitney (gr. I) and Stephen Foster (gr. II) Handicaps and running third in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

J.R. Preston was born in Okemah, Okla. He served in the Army during World War II in the Philippines and received a Bronnze Star. He was a member of the occupation forces in Japan following the surrender. Once state side, Preston helped run the family's energy and real estate businesses.

The Prestons, who owned Prestonwood Farms near Versailles, Ky., before selling it to Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt in 2000, also raced champion Groovy and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Da Hoss, both in partnership. Groovy was champion sprinter in 1987. Other stakes winners campaigned alone or in partnership by the Prestons included such top runners as Kostroma, Distorted Humor, Good Command, and To Freedom.

In addition to his two brothers, Preston's survivors include his wife, Rachel; sons Stephen and Jonathan; and daughter Anne.

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