NEWS
Stardom Bound owner Cono dies
Posted: Friday, April 10, 2009 10:18 AM
CHARLES CONO
Benoit & Associates photo
by Jeff Lowe
Charles Cono, who reached a pinnacle in racing last year with Stardom Bound while he battled health issues, died on Thursday at his home in La Mesa, California. He was 86.
Cono suffered from lupus and pulmonary fibrosis. He only owned Thoroughbreds for about eight years, but he and trainer Chris Paasch forged a successful relationship that skyrocketed with the purchase of Stardom Bound for $375,000 in the Ocala Breeders’ Sale Co.’s March two-year-olds in training sale.
The gray or roan filly scored three Grade 1 wins for the duo, prevailing in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) and Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) before delivering as the favorite in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She was a near unanimous choice as champion two-year-old filly.
Citing his health concerns, Cono sold her for $5.7-million to IEAH Stables and partners in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall mixed sale.
"We were just glad to have been part of her life,” Cono said at the sale in Lexington. “She’s been an absolute blessing. I’ve got to tell you it’s been like a gift from God. She’s the best horse I’ve ever owned; the best horse I’ve ever seen, to be honest with you.”
Cono and Paasch also won the 2005 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1) and ’06 Stonerside Beaumont Stakes (G2) with Diplomat Lady. Cono’s other stakes winners were Conveyor’s Angel, Crowned Dancer, Foxy Danseur, Hello Lucky, Ponche de Leona, Prime Ruler, Principle Secret, and Veiled Speed.
A native of Washington D.C., Cono was the co-owner of a real estate investment and management firm in La Mesa. He was very involved in philanthropic initiatives, including the establishment of a training institute for the disabled in Oceanside, California.
“Charlie and I are partners in business, but several years ago Charlie Cono became my friend, and that means more to me than anything,” Paasch told the San Diego Union-Tribune last fall. “I never really had a huge father figure in my life, and I think of Charlie Cono as much as a father figure as I do a friend and business partner. … He’s my hero.”
Services are scheduled for Saturday at noon at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon.
Jeff Lowe is a THOROUGHBRED TIMES staff writer
