Prominent Horse-Racing Figure R.D. Hubbard Dies In Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — R.D. Hubbard — a prominent horse-racing industry figure who operated Hollywood Park in Inglewood for nearly a decade until its sale to Churchill Downs Inc. in 1999 — died Wednesday at his home in Palm Desert, it was announced Thursday. He was 84.

Hubbard was known in the Coachella Valley for purchasing the Bighorn Golf Club with a small group of investors in the 1990s and transforming it into one of the most successful residential golf club communities in the United States.

Hubbard and his wife, Joan Dale Hubbard, fell in love with racehorses in the 1960s, and he subsequently campaigned more than 100 thoroughbred and quarter horse stakes winners, according to a website for the couple's New Mexico horse farm, Crystal Springs Farm.

He bred horses that earned more than $4.7 million, along with owning many other horses, including Gentlemen, who won the 1997 Hollywood Gold Cup at now-defunct Hollywood Park, where Hubbard was the CEO in the 1990s.

Hubbard also owned horses in partnerships with other owners, including Donn Handicap winner Puerto Madero and the quarterhorses Noconi, who won more than $1.35 million, and Feature Mr Bojangles, who earned nearly $900,000 on the track.

He helped form the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and as a member of its board of directors, co-founded its Racing Integrity and Drug Testing Task Force. He was also named Man of the Year by that association in 2000.

"With the passing of R.D. Hubbard, we have lost a visionary leader who rose from humble beginnings to become a highly successful businessman, philanthropist and sportsman," said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

"He was a passionate and successful participant in horse racing at all levels: breeder, horse owner, racetrack owner and operator, handicapper and fan," Waldrop said. "A teacher and mentor to many, his numerous contributions to the industry he loved included his unrelenting drive to unite leading breeders, owners, trainers and racetrack operators to establish the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA)."

Hubbard also constructed and opened The Woodlands greyhound and racehorse track in Kansas, led a group that was awarded the license to build the Zia Park horse racing track in New Mexico, and bought Ruidoso Downs horse racing track in New Mexico with Dr. Ed Allred and eventually became that track's sole owner before selling it in 2017.

He was inducted in 2009 into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame.

In 1986, Hubbard and his wife founded the R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, which has given more than $25 million to a variety of causes. The couple also founded The Shoemaker Foundation for riders with debilitating illnesses or injuries, and the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

Hubbard was born in Kansas, launched his professional career as a teacher and basketball coach, then left teaching to become a glass salesman. He subsequently became president of Safelite Auto Glass and later formed AFG Industries, which became the nation's second largest glass manufacturer, before selling it in 1992.

Hubbard is survived by his wife and three children.

No service information was immediately provided.