Farrell Jones dies at 84

Trainer Farrell Jones (Benoit Photo)

Farrell Jones, an eight-time leading trainer at Santa Anita trainer whose

beginnings trace back to Seabiscuit, died Monday at the age of 84

in the Hemet, California, area near his ranch, according to his son, retired

trainer Gary Jones.

"He had a hernia problem and was hospitalized and got the flu," Jones said

Wednesday morning. "From there, all his systems began to fail and it was

just a matter of time. His body right now is en route to Malad City, Idaho,

where he will be buried next to his mother. There are no services planned, to my

knowledge."

Farrell Jones ranks 13th all-time in Santa Anita training wins. Gary is

fourth with 576 victories behind Bobby Frankel, Charlie Whittingham and Ron

McAnally. Farrell won his first Santa Anita training title in 1961-62 and his

last in 1973-74.

"I've been with the whole family," 52-year-old trainer Rafael Beccera

said.

"I started with Farrell in the 70s and stayed with them until Gary retired in

1996. Everybody thought Farrell was tough, and he was, but I learned a lot from

him. That was Farrell. He wanted to do things his own way and he was the boss."

Asked how he'd remember his father, Gary, the father of trainer Marty Jones,

said, "He was a tough guy and a great trainer."