by Frank Angst

James “Jimmy” Moran, who bred and raced 2006 English highweight Les Arcs, died on April 9 after a short illness.

Moran and his family owned and operated Elk Manor Farm in North East, Maryland. Homebred Les Arcs, by Arch, won the ’06 Darley July Cup (Eng-G1) and Golden Jubilee Stakes (Eng-G1) to secure highweight honors for an older sprinter.

Elk Manor’s quality broodmares have produced top homebreds like Grade 1-placed Silver Knockers and stakes winners Richetta, who in ’03 was named Maryland’s top juvenile filly; White Mountain Boy, and Irish Osprey. Elk Manor Farm campaigned stakes winner Riscay.

Racing Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito conditioned most of Elk Manor Farm’s horses. Some other horses were trained by Edwin Merryman and Bruce Jackson.

Jimmy Moran began assisting his mother, Brushwood Stable’s Elizabeth Moran, at her Pennsylvania-based farm in 1980. Moran’s surviving family, including wife Beatrice and children Katie, Meghan, and Matthew, will continue to operate Elk Manor Farm.

“Jimmy was a kind, gentle, brilliant guy,” Moran’s friend Robert Courtney said. “A great father, friend, husband, and fine horseman, he will be sorely missed by many in the racing world.”