Tom Braly, the owner of the multiple stakes winner Evening Jewel, died early Friday of complications of cancer, according to his trainer, Jim Cassidy.
Braly was 72. He was receiving hospice care at his home in Indian Wells, Calif., at the time of his death, Cassidy said.
Despite his illness, Braly was a frequent visitor to the races in the last year to watch Evening Jewel and other horses he campaigned with his wife, Marilyn. Braly was at Del Mar on Aug. 21 when Evening Jewel won the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, her fourth stakes win this year.
Earlier this year, Evening Jewel won the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, the Grade 2 Honeymoon Handicap at Hollywood Park and the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar. In April, Evening Jewel finished a nose behind Blind Luck in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
In April, Braly described Evening Jewel “as the greatest therapy.” She was bought by the Bralys privately as a 2-yar-old in 2009. “She’s my home run, which I’ve always wanted to have,” Braly said in April.
Cassidy spoke with Braly frequently. Last Tuesday, Braly said that would not be able to attend the races on Thursday when his family’s Move On Gypsy finished third in the fourth race.
A native of Long Beach, Braly attended the University of Southern California and worked as a journalist for the now-defunct Los Angeles Mirror in the 1960s. He later launched a successful insurance company and spent 30 years involved in racing.
Funeral services are pending.
