Edmund Gann, a leading California owner who campaigned dozens of stakes winners alone and in partnership, died Feb. 7 after a bout with cancer, according to Daily Racing Form. A resident of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., he was 86.
Medaglia d'Oro , one of Gann’s numerous major winners trained by the late Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, won three grade I stakes in the early part of the last decade and ran second in consecutive runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I). Following his racing career, Medaglia d’Oro developed into a prominent sire. His runners include 2009 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra.
Gann, who raced his first horse in the 1970s, campaigned such additional grade I winners as Denon, Filago, Louis Cyphre, Midas Eyes, Peace Rules, Riviera, Timboroa, You, and You and I. Peace Rules, a three-time grade I winner, ran third in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Overseas, Gann won the 1988 Japan Cup (Jpn-I) with Pay the Butler.
Gann, a Massachusetts native, was in the fishing business in California, and it was through his involvement in fishing that he ended up with his first horse. A business deal involving Gann and another man failed to work out, and Gann received the filly Bold Producer as compensation.
Gann’s other business interests were in banking, hardware, oil, real estate development, and wholesale food. At one time, he owned a major interest in Chicken of the Sea.
A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. PST at Holy Cross Mausoleum in San Diego.
