Graham Beck, who owned the 1,500-acre Gainesway Farm and three other Thoroughbred farms across the globe, died in London on July 27. The Beck family patriarch was 80.
Renowned internationally as a wine maker, horseman, and philanthropist, the native of South Africa was spending the winter in England with Rhona, his wife of 50 years, as he liked to do.
Beck purchased Gainesway from founder John Gaines in 1989. Under the stewardship of Beck and his son Antony, the farm has maintained its leadership position as a source of top stallions and racing prospects.
Beck first achieved success in the coal mining industry in South Africa, but spent the past 30 years focusing primarily on high-quality wines and Thoroughbreds. He became enamored with Thoroughbred racing while in college, and purchased his first horses from Kentucky for racing and breeding in South Africa in the early 1970s. His Highlands Stud in Western Cape, South Africa, is one of that nation’s leading breeding and stallion operations. It is home to six stallions, including Spectrum and Dynasty.
The Gainesway stallion barns currently house nine stallions, including Champion Sire Tapit, current Leading Sophomore Sire Afleet Alex, dual Classic sire Birdstone, and Gainesway-bred champion Orientate. The Gainesway farm and sales programs also continue a heritage of producing top runners and sales horses. In 2008, Gainesway was agent for the Keeneland September sale topper; and through July 27 of this year, they sold 32 stakes horses, including reigning Eclipse Champion Informed Decision.
For the past several years, Beck had turned over the day-to-day running of Gainesway to Antony, who served as President, while the elder Beck continued in the role of Chairman. Beck is survived by his wife, Rhona; his son Antony; his daughter-in-law Angela; and five grandchildren. He will be buried in Jerusalem.