California's Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal–the nom de course of the Cohen family–lost the stable founder and the Cohen family patriarch, Jed Cohen, Sunday, Nov. 27. Cohen passed away in Del Mar at the age of 89 after battling health issues for the past few years.
Among the top horses raced by the Cohens–sometimes in partnership–were GISWs Janet (GB) (Emperor Jones), River Boyne (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), and Dr. Schivel (Violence). The stable most recently took the leading owner title at the 2022 Santa Anita fall and winter meets and is currently leading the Del Mar meet. Their most recent win came in the final race Saturday at Del Mar in an optional allowance with Percolate (Ire) (Sir Percy {GB}). The operation often bought ready-made racehorses in Europe and had success in bringing them to compete stateside.
According to his son, Tim Cohen, Jed Cohen had been involved in horse racing for about 61 years and was brought to the sport through his own father's pocket-change forays in the Big Apple.
“His father loved horse racing,” said Tim. “His father and three other people would pool 50 cents together to make a $2 bet in New York.”
A backbone of the California racing industry for decades, Jed Cohen's “greatest achievement,” said Tim, was the “the achievement of others. He was always immensely happy with everyone associated in the victories. His greatest victory was the joy of others.”
That, “and he just had this genuine love of people and horses,” said Tim. “We never wanted the last race out of a horse. We always wanted them treated the right way. If there was a problem, we stopped. He never wanted a horse to run if it wasn't exactly right.”
Former trainer Darrell Vienna, who enjoyed tremendous success with horses racing in Cohen's colors, concurs.
“He was the perfect owner. If a horse needed rest, he absolutely insisted on it. His attitude was, 'let's do the best by the horse,'” said Vienna, who estimated that he had known Cohen for more than 30 years.
“He was just a really special person,” Vienna said. “After I retired from training, we kept in close contact. We spoke regularly about racing, about life and politics.”
Though an astute handicapper, Cohen kept it small–like his own father. “A big bet for him would be $20. He just loved analyzing races,” said Vienna. “I'll miss having access to his wisdom and his kindness. He was an exceptional listener–he was always paying attention. He was just a unique, extraordinary person. He's a big loss to horse racing but an even bigger loss to anyone who knew him.”
Cohen is survived by his wife, Bobbie; as well as his children Tim, Mark, and Linda; and two grandsons.
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