Paint racing horseman, A.T. Ferree, dies in accident on his farm

Avid horse racing breeder and owner, A.T. Ferree of Skiatook, Oklahoma, died on January 23, 2010 at the age of 88 while trimming trees at his farm following a snowstorm. Although he was a deputy with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department until his retirement in 1991, he loved the outdoors and spent much of his time ranching, farming, fishing, hunting and enjoying his horses. He bred, trained and raised Paint horses for over 45 years. "Every day, he got out of bed and did what he loved to do," said daughter Tonya Lester.

A. T. Ferree at the head of Cherry Kiss after her win in the 1980 Fall Paint Horse Futurity. Hirez JPEG (2.2 mb)

 Ferree owned several influential horses along the way, one that most likely pointed his way into the Paint racing. Ferree bought Flit Bar AQHA from E.L. Gosselin following some disappointing finishes on the track, according to an article in the American Quarter Horse Journal. Ferree sold Flit Bar to George Tyler, then-husband of Rebecca Tyler Lockhart who would go on to form the American Paint Horse Association. Flit Bar would go on to be one of the most influential sires in AQHA history. Ferree also owned the 1977 PSBA Futurity winner, Red Queen, a sorrel tobiano mare by Bang Up 2. His favorite horse was named Cherry Kiss, who held a Paint racing track record for many years at the 330 yard distance. She earned a 108 speed index in the trials of the 1982 Open To The World Maturity at Ross Meadows in Ada, Oklahoma. That 108 speed index was one of the fastest speed indexes recorded by APHA. She ran in 11 stakes races, winning five and placing in four. Cherry Kiss was buried on Ferrees’ farm in Skiatook, Oklahoma.

Many of the horses that Ferree bred go back to those two mares, Red Queen and Cherry Kiss. In his later days, the breeding side of the racing business was his passion. "While undergoing cancer treatment 17 years ago, he would look out his bay window that overlooked the mare and foal pasture and it kept him going," said Lester. "He still got up seven days a week to work on his farm, which is what he was doing when he died. He loved it."

Ferree was the youngest of his siblings, and he is survived by his wife, Carole; two daughters, Tonya Lester and husband Dean of Skiatook, and Kellie Kittress and husband Gene of Skiatook; five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

More about Paint Horse racing
Horse racing has long been one of America’s favorite spectator sports. With the recent growth of the Paint Horse breed, it’s no wonder that Paints have become one of the hottest tickets in the horse racing industry.

Since 1966, when APHA officially recognized the sport, Paint racing has made major strides forward. In that inaugural year, 17 starters ran for $1,290 in just two states—Texas and Oklahoma. In 2008, more than 570 starters competed in more than 660 APHA-recognized races for record purses totaling more than $5 million.

A total of 17 states now feature Paint racing, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Paint Horses also race in Canada.

"Paint Racing continues to be an opportunity for breeders, owners and trainers to take a serious look at," said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. "The amount of purse money available and the average earning per Paint starter is creating new interest in the Paint racing industry."

For more information on Paint Horse racing, contact APHA’s racing department at (817) 222-6444, email racing@apha.com, or visit paintracing.com.