California-Based Trainer James Cassidy Dies At 80

[Wandering Eyes]

Trainer James Cassidy died Wednesday at his home in Monrovia, California after suffering from heart disease. He was 80.

Born Aug. 21, 1945 in New York City, Cassidy got his start working with show horses at the age of 12. He would later transition to racehorses and in 1975, Cassidy took out his trainer's license. He then spent more than a decade working as an assistant for such top Eastern-based trainers as Joe Canty, Frank Whitely and Charles Sanborne before striking out on his own.

Cassidy's first starter as a trainer came Oct. 2, 1989 at Belmont Park, according to Equibase statistics. In late 1993, after only a handful of runners in New York, Cassidy moved his training operation to Southern California. He won his first-ever race at Hollywood Park Dec. 12, 1993, with the claiming horse Royal Torrent (His Majesty).

Cassidy continued to operate a small stable at Santa Anita up until his death. His final starter who he also owned was Pure Chaos (Sir Prancealot {Ire}). The filly ran Jan. 11 at Santa Anita and finished third in a maiden special weight.

Cassidy won 442 races in his career while compiling $30,715,582 in purse earnings. His final win came Apr. 25, 2025 at Santa Anita with Princess Snow (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) for owner-breeder DP Racing.

Notable horses from the Cassidy barn were Grade I-winning millionaires Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet), The Usual Q.T (Unusual Heat) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Appluase {GB}); and millionaire Grade II winner Moscow Burning (Moscow Ballet).

Cassidy also served multiple terms as president of California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), an organization that represents the interests of Thoroughbred trainers in the state.

“Jim just loved horses. Period,” said Alan Balch, executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers. “From the first time I met him, that's what stood out to me. He had his early experience on Long Island with show horses, and we had that in common when I first met him in connection with CTT. And he loved the Yankees, he always wore that cap proudly.”

Cassidy served as president of the CTT in 2009 and again from 2012 through June 2019.

“Jim had a special knack with fillies and mares, and the records prove it,” Balch said. “He served the backstretch community as a whole tirelessly, through both the Gregson Foundation and his CTT leadership.”

Details on services will be announced at a later date.

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