SOLANA BEACH, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2013) – Breeder and owner Doris Johnson, member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association since 1964, passed away last week after a brief illness.
Johnson worked for Bay Meadows for 49 years, the last 20 as manager of the Turf Club, and fought to keep the track open until its closing in 2008.
As an owner, she raced stakes winner Honey’s Wallet. In 1998, she joined a partnership that claimed Theresa’s Tizzy for $16,000. Theresa’s Tizzy went on to become a graded stakes winner of $660,271 that the partnership sold in 2001 for $500,000 to Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky.
Johnson was married for 50 years to K.L. “Tex” Johnson, who trained at Bay Meadows for Cecilia DeMille-Harper and Charlie Russell, among others. Tex Johnson died in 1991.
After the closing of Bay Meadows, Johnson relocated to the Solana Beach area. A memorial service will be held Dec. 4 in the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Directors Room from 3-6 p.m.