Longtime California owner/breeder Marianne Millard, co-founder of Here Tis Ranch in Hemet, has passed away at the age of 91, according to a post on the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association website..
Best known as the co-owner and breeder of the multiple graded stakes winning and unbeaten California-bred Champion Melair, Millard, along with her late associate Bea Rous, were active California owners/breeders for several decades.
Melair, who garnered national attention on July 5, 1986 when she defeated an outstanding field of colts that included Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Snow Chief in the Silver Screen Handicap (G2) going a one-turn mile at Hollywood Park, was trained by John Sadler and ridden by Patrick Valenzuela.
Following her Silver Screen triumph, Melair sustained a bout with colic and retired unbeaten in five starts with earnings of $336,500.
A foal of 1983 by Debonair Roger out of the Viking Spirit mare Melrose Nugget, Melair is honored by Santa Anita annually with the $150,000 Melair Stakes for 3-year-old California-bred fillies at 1 1/16 miles. This year's Melair will be run on Saturday, May 28.
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