Florida Hall of Famer Jay Sears, a consummate horseman and father of Hall of Fame driver Brian Sears, died Sunday night at age 78. Mr. Sears, who lived on a farm in Osteen, Fla., north of Orlando and on the St. John’s River, had been working on his farm just days earlier but suffered an accident there when he was thrown from a jog cart while working with a filly.
In 2007-2008, Mr. Sears developed the pacing filly Native Bride, who in 2008 won the Garnsey Memorial, Matron and Breeders Crown elimination. Native Bride was driven by Mr. Sears’ son, putting the father-son in the winner’s circle together.
Mr. Sears was the son of horseman Gene Sears and followed in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from high school in Indianapolis, Ind., Mr. Sears began working for his father full-time, before moving on to a groom’s position for trainer Joe O’Brien. Mr. Sears went out on his own in 1961, and it was in that year he drove his first winner at Monticello Raceway. At age 22 in 1963, he became one of the youngest ever to drive a two-minute mile when he won with Georgia Red in 2:00 at Hollywood Park.
Mr. Sears’ career then flourished as he set up shop at Vernon Downs in the summer months and Pompano Park in the winter, where his son Brian and daughter Jennifer, attended schools.
While Mr. Sears raced many stakes colts in the prime of his career, including the $339,116 winner Cocktail Talk p,3, 1:52 and $165,041 winner Bashful Guy, in the second half of his life he and his second wife, Kim, bred, trained, owned, and raced Florida-breds and enjoyed many “Sunshine” stakes winners.
Jay and Kim Sears were recognized as Florida Breeders of the Year in 2008-09-10, and again in 2013, 2018 and ’19. They stood the top stallions: Six of Diamonds, Proud Bushy, Wewering, and Tough Sir.
In 2004 and ’05 Jay and Kim campaigned the pacing colt Florida Boy, who was tops in his division each season. Among the couple’s other multiple Florida divisional champions were Lucy Lucy, Black Diamond Girl, Angela, Showing Off, Markie, Rexamillion, and in 2018 and ’19, Proud Sophie and Natasha. Jay felt that Natasha was one of the best horses that he and Kim had ever bred and trained.
In addition, Mr. Sears also was active as a leader in harness racing, serving as president of the Florida Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association and as the association’s Executive Director from 1991-2002. He also served as a director of the U.S. Trotting Association for 25 years before retiring in 2016.
As an Executive Director, Jay implemented many programs, including the Horse Sale and Sale Stake as well as providing comprehensive Health Care for the horsemen. Jay was the founder of the Florida Amateur Driving Club.
Mr. Sears was inducted into the Florida Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1992. His father, Gene, joined him three years later in 1995.
Jay was extremely proud of both of his children. He took great pride in Jennifer's excellence in horsemanship and her success in the Show Horse World. One of his proudest moments was when son, Brian, was inducted into the National Hall Of Fame at Goshen New York in 2017.
Jay was living his life to the fullest, doing it in his own unique way. He pushed hard 7 days a week managing both a breeding farm and training center. He was busy breaking yearlings, jogging, training, breeding mares, fixing fence, mowing, and shoeing. He shod a colt 2 days before his accident and did a very good job.
Jay was most definitely living his dreams and loving his life right until the end.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and Gene, sister Jeannie, brother-in-law Lin, and nephew Henry.
He is survived by his wife, Kim, son Brian (girlfriend Jenn), daughter Jennifer (Jeffrey), niece Mary, his faithful dog, Charlie, and lifelong best friend, Brad Komers.
Celebration of Life Will be held Saturday, February 22nd, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at:
Kraeer Funeral Home & Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens
200 W Copans Rd
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pompano-beach-fl/jay-sears-9012922
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the:
Standardbred Retirement Foundation,
42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Road,
Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.
Tammy Cailliau
609-738-3255
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5