California horse owner Edmund Gann dies; campaigned major stakes winner Medaglia d’Oro, others

Prominent thoroughbred owner Edmund Gann dies

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. — Edmund Gann, a prominent thoroughbred owner who campaigned Medaglia d’Oro and several other major stakes winners, has died. He was 86.

Gann died at his home Sunday, a spokeswoman for the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in San Diego said Tuesday. The cause of death was cancer, according to Gann’s family.

Gann began his career in racing in the mid-1960s. Among other top horses he owned were Denon, Midas Eyes, Peace Rules, Timbora, You, and You and I. Gann also won the 1988 Japan Cup with Pay the Butler. Many of Gann’s horses were trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, who died in November.

Medaglia d’Oro earned more than $5.7 million during a career in which he won the 2002 Travers Stakes and the 2003 Whitney Handicap. The horse finished first or second in 15 of 17 career starts.

Gann was born in Gloucester, Mass., and became the owner of a commercial fishing operation when he moved to Southern California. When a business deal involving Gann and another person failed, Gann was given a horse as compensation. The filly named Bold Producer won her first three starts for her new owner, according to Bloodhorse.com.

Medaglia d’Oro also ran second in the Dubai World Cup and was a two-time runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Gann sold him as a stallion prospect for $10.5 million.

Gann had other business interests, including banking, hardware, oil, real estate development and wholesale food. He once owned a major interest in Chicken of the Sea.

A memorial service for Gann is planned for Thursday in San Diego.