An iconic figure at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., for five decades, trainer Bob Hess Sr. succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 early Saturday morning at age 86. Consistently among the leaders in Northern California dating back to the 1970s, Hess, who was the father of trainer Bob Hess, Jr., began his training career at Playfair in Spokane, Wash., in the late 1950s, then moved south to Agua Caliente in Tijuana, Mex., in the 1960s and to Bay Meadows and Golden Gate in 1971. He was a highly respected horseman throughout his career.
Initially hospitalized in mid-November with COVID-19 following a test administered by track officials, Hess was subsequently released and then re-admitted when symptoms returned. This heartbreaking news comes just one day after Golden Gate officials announced the continued suspension of live racing through Dec. 25.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the entire Hess family at this time,” said David Duggan, general manager at Golden Gate Fields. “To lose a longtime trainer and friend is simply heartbreaking to our entire horse racing family.”
Hess was born in the Lancaster County, Pa., town of Lititz on Oct. 10, 1934, and moved west to the Pasadena, Calif., area after high school. After serving in the U.S. Army while stationed in Washington state, he found his way to the racetrack, first at Playfair in Spokane and then at Longacres near Seattle. It was when he migrated to Agua Caliente that he met the love of his life, Maria Elena, at a bowling alley across from the racetrack. The two were married for 56 years and had four children, Bob Jr., Howie, Erica and Anna.
Bob Hess Sr. in the Golden Gate winner's circle with No Name Fred and jockey Kent Desormeaux on March 8, 2020
When advised Hess, who spoke fluent Spanish, had passed away Saturday morning, jockey Abel Cedillo was moved to tears.
“When I was riding up north, he was like a second father to me,” said Cedillo, a Guatemalan native who was the leading rider at Del Mar's recently concluded Bing Crosby Meeting. “I had so much respect for him. I'm shocked. I'm going to really miss him.”
Golden Gate Fields' Director of Racing, Patrick Mackey, echoed the sentiments of many in the California racing industry.
“Bob was a wonderful horseman who was always there for his fellow race tracker,” he said. “His stories were legendary. He was a wealth of knowledge and imparted that knowledge to many over the years. He was a great man and his presence here at Golden Gate Fields will be sorely missed.”
Over a distinguished career that saw him saddle 1,592 winners from 10,448 starters, Hess's runners earned more than $17.2 million. His last winner came on Oct. 29 at Golden Gate with the Thoroughbred Just Like Fred and his final starter ran there on Nov. 8. He won with 11 of 80 starters in 2020, with 11 seconds and 15 thirds.
Bob Hess Jr. said his father had a very simple philosophy about life.
“Everything he did was honest,” Hess Jr. said. “He never allowed anyone to make him do what he knew wasn't right. He could look in the mirror and be proud. He would say to me, 'Son, if you don't tell lies, you never have to remember them. Just always tell the truth.'”
Services for Bob Hess, Sr. are pending.
Paulick Report staff contributed to this article.
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