Golden Eagle Farm

In 1972, in their search for the "perfect" farm site, John and Betty Mabee found what they wanted in a picturesque valley 10 miles east of Ramona in North San Diego County. It was here that they purchased 200 acres and began what is today one of the leading Thoroughbred breeding farms in California--Golden Eagle Farm.

Eagles still soar high above the land that bears their name, but the farm has grown to 560 acres and has churned out countless California and Eclipse champions during its 28 years of operation.

The most famous of these was Best Pal, California's Horse of the Year three years in a row. The state's top money earner with $5,668,245 in earnings, Best Pal won 18 races, including most of California's major stakes, and ran second in the 1991 Kentucky Derby. The popular gelding died of a heart attack in November, 1998, and is buried at the farm.

Other notable Golden Eagle homebreds have included General Challenge, Excellent Meeting, Career Collection and Magical Allure, all sired by resident stallion General Meeting who is ranked among the top sires in the country. Avenue of Flags, who sired California champion Avenue of Gold and last year's Oak Leaf winner Notable Career, also makes his home at Golden Eagle Farm, as does Half a Year, American Day, Event of the Year, Half Term and King of the Hunt.

The Mabees and Golden Eagle Farm will be well represented on California Cup Day, Nov. 3, at Santa Anita. Their best hope is with High Demand, a Cal-bred son of top Kentucky sire Danzig. He is putting a 5-race winning streak on the line and has been nominated to the Classic and Mile. The Seeking the Gold filly Favorite Funtime is also red-hot after capturing Del Mar's Piedra Foundation Handicap for her fourth win from seven outings. She may see action in the Matron or the Distaff. Notable Career is now in Bill Spawr's barn after a disappointing comeback, and is also nominated for the Distaff and the Matron. The Mabees have bred 10 California Cup winners, including last year's Sprint winner Full Moon Madness.

Inaugurated in 1990, California Cup offers 10 races and purses of $1.275 million exclusively for California-bred Thoroughbreds.