Steve Warner, the co-breeder of 2006 champion sprinter Thor’s Echo, died April 25 after a bout with cancer, according to Daily Racing Form.
Thor’s Echo was bred by Warner’s Fast Lane Farms in partnership with Carleton Block and Harry Forman. The gelded son of Swiss Yodelercaptured the sprint championship after winning the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) and the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (gr. I).
Operating in the Fast Lane name, Warner was the co-breeder/owner of grade I-winning filly Dancing Edie. Dancing Edie won the 2006 John C. Mabee Handicap (gr. I) at Del Mar and took the following year’s Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (gr. III) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
Warner also bred and/or raced alone or in partnership other Southern California stakes winners Smokin’ Charlotte, Sharp Asa Pistol, and Unusual Smoke in the Fast Lane name. Unusual Smoke won the TVG Khaled Stakes at Hollywood Park the day of Warner’s death.
Warner operated the feed company Steve Warner Thoroughbred Maintenance. The outfit services the Southern California tracks.
