Horse Racing: Prominent Horse Owner dies in tragic plane crash
Oregon authorities confirmed the identities of the two men who died when a light plane crashed on Thursday. One of the passengers was 73 year old Sam Bartley Cannell and the other was prominent Californian horse owner Frank N. Vessels.
The 58 year old Vessels was piloting the twin engine aircraft when it crashed around 80 miles south of Burns. The authorities believe that the horse owner and his friend onboard died instantly as soon as the plane hit the ground. The aircraft had taken off from Montana and was en route to Redding. The two passengers were taking a yearly fishing trip when the tragedy struck.
Sheriff David Glerup reported that eye witnesses saw the plane break apart mid-flight, causing the crash. The witnesses said that a section of the wing was torn off the aircraft before impact. The plane was destroyed as soon as it hit the ground. Federal Aviation Authorities are still conducting their investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Vessels and his family are deeply involved with horse racing. Vessels had been the president of the American Quarter Horse Association and a member of their hall of fame. He was also a member of the Jockey’s club and owned Vessels Stallion Farms. Frank, also known as ‘Scoop’ among family and friends, was the president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
Cannell was also intricately tied with thoroughbred racing. The architect was a breeder and an owner. He has left behind four daughters.
Frank Vessels III was the grandson of Frank Vessels Sr. who founded the Los Alamitos Race Course. The Vessels family has been involved with horse racing since the 1950s. The racecourse was sold by the family in 1984. Current owner of the Los Alamitos Race Course, Edward C. Allred said that he was in shock and deeply disturbed by the suddenness of the tragedy.
Allred said that Vessels had a great love for horse racing and was a man always bringing in ideas to improve quarter horse racing. Allred added that Vessels Stallion Farms was the dominant source Quarter Horse racing bloodlines and had been for many years. “The passing of Scoop will be hard for Quarter Horse racing not only in California but also nationally to overcome.”
Vessels had the unique distinction of being highly successful in both Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing. When Vessels was being presented the John Galbraith Award for outstanding entrepreneurship and innovation in the equine industry, Rick Wilke presenting the award made note of that unique achievement. “A lot of people dabble in both breeds, but no one has ever reached a pinnacle of success with each.”
CEO of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Joe Harper said that Vessels was not one of the people who complained about problems but went about solving them. Harper said that he was glad when Vessels got interested in thoroughbred racing. “I'm going to miss him as a friend.”
Mike Mitchell, who had been training thoroughbreds for the past four years for Vessels, said that he was shocked at hearing the news. He said that Vessels was a great guy to know and work for.
Vessels has left behind a wife and three sons. “To his wife, Bonnie, and their children, the Los Alamitos Race Course family sends its most heartfelt sentiments of sorrow,” Edward Allred said in a statement.
Vessels was a man of many talents. He was an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, horse owner and even had a knack for motorsports. He entered motorsports in the 1970s and continued for 32 years. He was a champion off-road racer winning four racing titles in the 1980s. He won the Baja 500 off-road race in 1977 and Baja 1000 in 1980. He had more than 30 motorsport race wins under his belt. His son, Kash, following in his father’s footsteps is also a SCORE racer. Those from the motorsports world remember him as someone who enjoyed himself and always did things his own unique way.
A memorial service scheduled for Monday at the Vessels Stallion Farm has been planned and would be open to the public.
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