Tom Braly, owner of two-time grade I stakes winner Evening Jewel, died on the morning of Sept. 3 at his home in Palm Desert, Calif., after a long battle with cancer. He was 72.
Braly, a native of Long Beach, Calif., and owner of Mills Insurance, was at Del Mar to see Evening Jewel win the Del Mar Oaks (gr. I) Aug. 21.She also won the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland this spring before losing by a nose to Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Prior to entering the business world, Braly attended the University of Southern California, majoring in journalism. He worked for the old Los Angeles Mirror.
Trainer Jim Cassidy, who conditions Evening Jewel, said that Braly was a client for the past 11 years. "He'll be missed," Cassidy said, "not only as an owner but as a good friend and good adviser."
Cassidy saddled Move On Gypsy to finish third for the Braly Family Trust in the fourth race Sept. 2. He said he planned to travel to Palm Desert to be with the family.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.