Fred Sahadi, who constructed a number of iterations of Cardiff Stud Farm in California and co-founded the Barretts Equine Gross sales Firm within the state, died June 4 at age 91. His daughter, former coach Jenine Sahadi, posted the discover on X, ending her tribute to her father with “what a outstanding life.”
Fred Sahadi’s affect may very well be felt in virtually each side of the California racing and breeding business. He developed one of many state’s high breeding farms within the Santa Ynez Valley after which determined to construct a much bigger and higher one from scratch. He discovered land north of that location in Creston close to Paso Robles within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, nicely earlier than that space turned inundated with wineries.
Alongside the way in which Sahadi stood among the main stallions within the state, together with Gummo , Flying Paster , Desert Wine , Skywalker , and Free Home . Cardiff was a number one consignor to gross sales all through California and the nation, after which in 1989 Sahadi partnered with the Los Angeles County Truthful Affiliation to create Barretts. For practically three a long time, the gross sales firm held main auctions in a facility on the truthful property, with barns and a gross sales area that Sahadi constructed to the identical excessive requirements as his palatial farm.
These barns proceed in use at this time by Fasig-Tipton at its annual California yearling sale and by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Affiliation at its January blended sale. The world has been transformed into The Derby Room, a well-liked off-track simulcast facility.
Born in Los Angeles on March 7, 1935, Sahadi took nice satisfaction in his house state. His training included acquiring an undergraduate diploma at UCLA and a regulation diploma from USC, and he turned a builder and operator of houses and places of work all through California. Sahadi’s main architectural tasks included the Pruneyard Purchasing Middle in Campbell, Calif. Sahadi purchased that property in 1968 and accomplished the mixed-use improvement, which included two connected high-rise buildings, in 1970. Sahadi’s different tasks included a number of inns and condo buildings, in addition to Fleur du Lac Estates on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.
Sahadi was particularly happy with the first-class facility he in-built Creston.
“I used to be born and bred on this a part of the world,” he mentioned shortly after the farm opened. “I believe that the hardest racing on this planet—day and day trip bar none—is on the Southern California circuit.”
Sahadi felt that horses competing in Southern California may make good stallions. Flying Paster proved the epitome of that philosophy.
The 1978 California-bred Horse of the 12 months and champion 2-year-old male, Flying Paster gained such races because the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Hollywood Derby (G1), San Antonio Stakes (G1), and Del Mar Futurity (G2). He had the unhealthy luck to return alongside in the identical 12 months as Spectacular Bid and will by no means beat that runner. However Flying Paster turned a millionaire earlier than standing his total stud profession at Cardiff, first within the Santa Ynez Valley after which in Creston. He developed right into a California main sire, getting such runners as $1.8-million earner Flying Continental .
Sahadi as soon as mentioned he first turned excited by racing at age 12, however shied away from direct involvement till he may afford it. He purchased 20 acres in Los Gatos, Calif., and attended the 1972 Keeneland summer time yearling sale, shopping for a son of Advocator —Give Or Take , by Swaps , for $65,000. Although Sahadi offered him at a loss for $55,000 on the 1973 CTBA March 2-year-old sale, the colt, named Agitate , went on to win 4 stakes, together with the 1974 Hollywood Derby and California Derby (G2). Agitate completed third within the Kentucky Derby (G1) behind winner Cannonade .
He moved his operation to Creston largely to have extra room to lift horses. He purchased 1,200 acres and constructed 4 magnificent barns with copper cupolas and inside wooden paneling.
Horses Cardiff Stud Farm bred over time included Shywing , offered by Cardiff for $1 million and a five-time stakes winner. Cardiff owned such runners as a number of graded winners King Pellinore and Caucusus, each skilled by Charlie Whittingham.
In later years, the Cardiff operation moved to acreage in close by Atascadero and “Jeopardy” host and owner-breeder Alex Trebek for a number of years owned the Creston property. Sahadi’s son Stephen (whose center title gave Barretts its title) managed the Atascadero version of Cardiff.
The truthful affiliation, rebranded as Fairplex, purchased out Sahadi’s curiosity in Barretts in 2002. By then Barretts had established a number of information, together with a North American juvenile sale document of $2 million, bid for Morocco in 1999. Barretts sale graduates included Unbridled’s Tune and Brocco , each winners of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Sahadi’s daughter Jenine, in the meantime, was establishing herself as a high coach. Her expenses included Lit de Justice and Elmhurst , winners of the Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1), in addition to Santa Anita Derby winner The Deputy and Eddie Learn Handicap (G1T) winner Fastness .
Along with Jenine and Stephen, Fred Sahadi is survived by his spouse, Helen; grownup youngsters Christine and Scott; and grandchildren Lexi, Ashley, Kensie, and Bear.
