The Harris name is synonymous with excellence in every aspect of horse racing in California and across the nation.

The stakes-winning horses bred, raised or trained by Harris Farms include such legendary performers as California Chrome, the 2014 winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, and Tiznow, the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Through 2016, Harris Farms had accounted for 46 California divisional champions and seven California Horse of the Year honors for the farm and its clients.

This love affair with horses and competition began simply enough in the early 1950s when Harris rode horses with his grandfather, who lived next to the Fresno Fairground. When the fair rolled around, they would head to the grandstand and cheer on their picks.

In 1966, John Harris and his father, Jack, decided to add a complete thoroughbred horse operation to their cattle ranching and farming businesses.

Throughout his career, Harris has championed California’s place in the horse-racing industry and worked tirelessly to improve and promote the sport.

He has served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and been involved in many other industry organizations, among them: The Jockey Club, the California Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

He received the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award in 2012 for “serving the sport with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.” In addition, Harris is a California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Hall of Fame inductee.