by Jeff Lowe

Roger King, a television producer and Thoroughbred owner and breeder, died on December 8 following a stroke. He was 63.

King was the chairman of King World Productions, which produces "Jeopardy!," "Wheel of Fortune," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

King raced stakes winner Courageous King and stakes-placed winners Bay Head King and Lucinda K. He bred Atswhatimtalknbout, the runner-up in the 2003 San Felipe Stakes (G2) and fourth-place finisher in that season's Kentucky Derby (G1).

King and trainer Wesley Ward owned horses together in recent years, including Lifestyle, who finished sixth in the 2005 TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). King and Ward bought a Storm Cat filly out of champion Jewel Princess for $1.4-million in the 2004 Fasig-Tiptson Saratoga selected yearling sale. The unraced filly is named Jewel for a King.

Bloodstock agent Buzz Chace went to $1.85-million on King’s behalf in the 2001 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale for an Unbridled’s Song colt later named Mister C’s Song. A half brother to graded stakes winners Harmony Lodge, Graeme Hall, and Win McCool, Mister C’s Song won his only start in May 2003 at Churchill Downs. The colt died several days later, Chace said. 

“It’s too bad, because he was probably the best horse Roger ever had,” Chace said. “Roger loved the camaraderie of the racetrack. He loved to have a good time.”

King is survived by his wife, Raemali, who shared the name of their racing stable, R and R King Stable.

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer