AP News, February 16th, 2007
Trudy McCaffery, who co-owned Santa Anita Derby and Pacific Classic winners Came Home and Free House and bred thoroughbreds, has died at 62.
McCaffery died Monday at her home in this San Diego suburb after a long battle with cancer.
She and former partner John Toffan also raced Mane Minister, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont stakes in 1991. They bred Round Pond, the Breeders' Cup Distaff winner last November at Churchill Downs.
McCaffery and Toffan's other successful runners included A.P. Assay, Pacific Squall, Del Mar Dennis and turf horses Bien Bien and Bienamado.
An accomplished equestrian in her youth, McCaffery served as a director of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and Oak Tree Racing Association.
She also was treasurer for Tranquility Farm, which oversees the care and adoption of retired racehorses.
In 1999, McCaffery founded Kids to the Cup, a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to attracting, developing and educating racing fans ages 8 to 16 through programs that provide direct access to the sport's major events and participants, including owners, trainers, jockeys and horses.
McCaffery started the organization after being contacted by a young fan who wanted to wish her luck with one of her horses. Kids to the Cup has since sent more than 1,200 youngsters to Breeders' Cup and Triple Crown races.
"She was very active in efforts to improve things, serving tirelessly for the industry on the boards of many organizations," John Harris, vice chairman of the California Horse Racing Board, told the Los Angeles Times. "Her sense of humor, sparkling enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the game will be sorely missed."
Born in Calgary, Canada, McCaffery was the daughter of the late Fritz Hanson, who starred for Winnipeg and Calgary in the Canadian Football League while playing on four Grey Cup champions.
She is survived by her mother and three sisters.
A memorial service will be held Friday at Santa Anita in Arcadia.
