John C. Harris, a breeder of thoroughbreds whose Harris Farms foaled and raised 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome and 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow, has died. He was 81.

He died Wednesday, according to Harris Farms. No cause of death or location was provided.

Harris didn’t breed either California Chrome, a two-time Horse of the Year, or Tiznow, but both spent their early years at his Coalinga farm in the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno. Both horses were elected to the sport’s Hall of Fame. California Chrome was the first California-bred to win the Derby since 1962. The colt went on to win the Preakness, but had his Triple Crown bid derailed in the Belmont.

Harris Farms stood many leading California sires, including Unusual Heat, Cee’s Tizzy, Lucky Pulpit, Eclipse Award winner Acclamation and Smiling Tiger.

Harris was born on his family’s farm on July 14, 1943. He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 1965 with a degree in animal production. He served for two years in the Army.

He became the sole shareholder and CEO of Harris Farms in 1981 following the death of his father, Jack, and led the ranch for decades, including Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, Harris Ranch Beef Co., Harris Feeding Co., Harris Farms Thoroughbred Division and Harris Fresh.

Harris was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting his alma mater as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Fresno State. He donated horses to a program at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga that gives horses and prisoners a new start through its vocational training program.

“Mr. Harris’ foresight, courage and willingness to invest his energy and assets in making our sport be better and rise higher in the eyes of the general public was a thing of pure beauty,” the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said in a statement. “We owe him a great debt for dedicating his life to the marvelous animals we all love.”

Harris served as chairman of the California Horse Racing Board for three years and was a longtime board member and former president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He served on the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a member of the California Racing Hall of Fame.

MOTORSPORTS

Team Penske has a new leadership structure atop its IndyCar and sports car programs in the wake of its latest cheating scandal that engulfed the organization at the Indianapolis 500.

Jonathan Diuguid was promoted to president of Penske Racing, and Travis Law was named competition director for Penske Racing. Diuguid and Law have a combined 38 years of experience at Team Penske. Diuguid and Law will oversee the Team Penske teams competing in IndyCar as well as Porsche Penske Motorsport, which races in both IMSA and the World Endurance Championship series.

“After two decades working for Roger Penske, I truly know and understand what the Penske name means in the world of motorsports,” Diuguid said. “The best way I know to show my appreciation to him for his trust is to ensure our success continues well into the future.”

Roger Penske fired his top three executives at Team Penske after two of the Penske cars were found to be illegal.

Team president Tim Cindric, IndyCar managing director Ron Ruzewski and IndyCar general manager Kyle Moyer were fired in May in the wake of this Indianapolis 500 cheating scandal.

Penske is owner of the three-car team, IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500. He has won the Indy 500 a record 20 times.

Penske shook up his race team leadership after two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and teammate Will Power were found to have an illegally modified spec part on their cars ahead the final round of qualifications for the 109th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Cindric and Ruzewski already had been suspended by IndyCar for the race and both teams fined $100,000. It was the second consecutive year Cindric and Ruzewski were banned from the Indy 500.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said Max Verstappen intends to stay with the team for next year despite speculation about a move to Mercedes which would shake up Formula 1.

Verstappen has repeatedly declined to say he’s committed to Red Bull for 2026 following a suggestion last week from Mercedes’ George Russell that his team spoke with Verstappen. Russell doesn’t have a contract for 2026.

The four-time world champ has a contract through 2028 at Red Bull but there have been indications a performance-related clause could allow him to exit earlier. The details are not public.

“The contracts between the drivers and the teams are always going to remain confidential. With any driver’s contract there is an element of a performance mechanism, and of course that exists within Max’s contract,” Horner said Friday at the British Grand Prix.

“His intention is that he will be there and driving for us in 2026. It’s inevitable that he’s of huge interest to any other other team in the pit lane.”

Horner suggested Russell “probably triggered all this speculation” to strengthen his hand in talks with Mercedes.