Award winning breeder Betty Mabee dies

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Betty L. Mabee, who along with her late husband John, won three Eclipse Awards, passed away Monday evening. Mrs. Mabee was 88 when she died at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Mrs.Mabee and her husband were voted champion breeders in 1991, 1997 and 1998. In 1972 the Mabees founded Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona, CA. John Mabee died in 2002.

Betty Mabee was a native of Missouri and grew up Iowa. The Mabees, who were high school sweethearts, were married for more than 60 years.

The leading thoroughbred that the couple raced was Best Pal who earned more than $5.6 million and won 18 of 47 career starts. In 1991 as a three-year-old Best Pal won the Pacific Classic and Swaps Stakes. The following year he won the Santa Anita Handicap, Strub Stakes, Oaklawn Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup.

Other top horses campaigned by Golden Eagle Farm were General Challenge, Dramatic Gold and Excellent Meeting.

Mrs. Mabee is survived by her son Larry and three grandchildren.