Mabee Transferred to Care Facility

John C. Mabee, the former president and chairman of the board of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club who suffered a stroke April 14, has been transferred to a care facility just two miles from the track.

Mabee's condition was listed Tuesday as critical, but his wife indicated in a statement issued by the track that recovery was unlikely. The track said Mabee was breathing on his own although non-responsive to his surroundings.

The 80-year-old Mabee, who owns Golden Eagle Farm with his wife, had a stroke nearly two years ago, but had returned to the business of running his extensive racing and breeding operation on a limited basis.

Through the years, the Mabees have campaigned such celebrated graded stakes winners as General Challenge, Dramatic Gold, Excellent Meeting, Event of the Year, Souvenir Copy, and Worldly Manner.

Their success on the track has earned the Mabees three Eclipse Awards in the 1990s as the nation's outstanding breeders; six Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association awards in the 1990s as California's leading breeders, and were the leading North American owners in 1992.