Farrell W. Jones, 84; racehorse trainer won many titles at California tracks

Farrell W. Jones, a longtime thoroughbred trainer who won numerous training titles at California horse-racing tracks, died Monday at a care facility near his ranch in Hemet, his son Gary Jones said Wednesday. He was 84.

“He had a hernia problem and was hospitalized and got the flu,” said Gary Jones, who also was a successful trainer. “From there, all his systems began to fail and it was just a matter of time. He was a tough guy and a great trainer.”

The elder Jones won numerous training titles -- a training title goes to the trainer whose horses win the most races during a meet -- at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Bay Meadows, Golden Gate Fields and Del Mar. He retired in 1974 after suffering a heart attack. He still ranks 13th on the all-time list in Santa Anita training victories with 413.

After he left training, he owned the Farrell W. Jones Thoroughbred Farm in Hemet, which specialized in the rehabilitation of horses. Many thoroughbreds, including stakes winners Forest Camp and Fly Till Dawn, who were laid up at the farm successfully returned to the track.

A winner of a record 11 training titles at Del Mar and eight at Santa Anita, Jones was under contract for three years as an exercise rider to owner Charles Howard in the 1930s. One of the horses Jones ran for Howard was Seabiscuit.

Jones also bred horses, including Pt’s Grey Eagle, who won the 2004 Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Santa Anita.

“I started with Farrell in the 1970s and stayed with the family until Gary retired” in 1996, said trainer Rafael Becerra. “Everybody thought Farrell was tough and he was, but I learned a lot from him. That was Farrell.”

Gary Jones said no service is planned. His father will be buried in his native Malad City, Idaho.

In addition to his son, Jones is survived by his daughter Vickie and grandsons Marty, who also trains horses, and David.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com