Klein to Quit Racing, Sell All His 146 Horses

Eugene V. Klein, three-time Eclipse Award winner as North America’s leading thoroughbred owner, is getting out of horse racing, he said today.

Among the 146 horses Klein will sell are 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors, 1986 Horse of the Year Lady’s Secret and current 3-year-old filly Open Mind.

“I guess it’s just the time of my life and the stage of life that I’m at,” the 68-year old former owner of the San Diego Chargers said. “All my life I have been very, very competitive--since the days of flying for the Air Force in World War II.

“There comes a time you should do what you want to do and take it easy.”

In addition to the stars of his stable, Klein’s stock of brood mares, yearlings, foals of 1989 and horses in training will be disposed of at the two-day November Breeding Stock Sale at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Since entering the thoroughbred business in 1982, Klein has raced six champions in his name or in partnership, won seven Breeders’ Cup races and 11 Eclipse Awards.