Clarence Scharbauer Jr., a patriarch in Texas racing whose family campaigned 1987 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Alysheba, died Feb. 21 at the age of 88.
The noted cattleman, businessman, and philanthropist from Midland, Tex., died in a local hospital due to complications following emergency stomach surgery.
Scharbauer's wife, Dorothy, and daughter, Pamela, won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness (gr. I) with Alysheba, whom they bought as a yearling for $500,000. Alysheba missed becoming racing's 12th Triple Crown Crown winner when he finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Alysheba went on to win Horse of the Year honors in 1988 with victories that included the Santa Anita Handicap, Woodward Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Classic (all gr. I), a race he lost the preceding year to fellow Derby winner Ferdinand by a nose. Alysheba was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Dorothy Scharbauer died in February 2005.
Clarence Scharbauer remained active in Thoroughbred Racing through the years right up until his death. His filly, Fiftyshadesofgold, won the Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park Feb. 15, a race he watched via Internet.
The win "really pleased" him, Ken Carson, manager of Scharbauer’s Valor Farm in Pilot Point, told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
"He was a great man, loved horses, and loved horse racing," Carson said.
In addition to Thoroughbreds, Scharbauer was an American Quarter Horse breeder for 60 years as well, and a past president of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1992.
"He was an icon in our world. God rest his soul," said AQHA President Johne Dobbs.
Services are pending.