A ranch with 100 acres of rolling pastureland in western Gilroy
that has endeared itself into the hearts of politicians and horse
aficionados alike is now in the hands of new owners.
A ranch with 100 acres of rolling pastureland in western Gilroy that has endeared itself into the hearts of politicians and horse aficionados alike is now in the hands of new owners.
Red Fox Stables played host to famous politicians, from Bobby Kennedy to Jerry Brown. Over the years, multiple Gilroy residents have attended large events, such as the annual Labor Day picnics and horse sales renowned from coast to coast, or purchased a Morgan horse from the owners, W. Robert and June Morgan. The horses are now being raised in San Benito County.
“It was a great place, a great tribute to the Gilroy community,” the deceased owners’ son Robert Morgan said. “A lot of people that live in Gilroy worked there over the years or bought horses from us.”
The owners were no less prominent in the community. His father was a well-respected lawyer who founded the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County and an avid art collector that created the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara.
The property was put up for sale after the death of June Morgan, 80, a year ago. Two developers from Palo Alto purchased the Red Fox Stables on New Avenue.
“We’ve been looking for something like that for a couple of years,” said Al Larsen, of the Palo Alto firm Larsen Hoffman Inc. Contractors. “There’s a couple of barns, three or four houses, wide open spaces, rolling hills. It’s gorgeous, just gorgeous.”
Larsen is using the acreage as a horse stabling and training facility.
Because of the historic name, he and his partner have only changed its name slightly – to Red Fox Farms, Inc.
“I agreed to give up the name,” Morgan said. “I consider the name belongs to the place.”
In 1963, his father started a breeding program with Morgan horses. The Morgan horse is the first documented American breed and is known for its athleticism and good disposition.
More than 450 Morgans were born at Red Fox Stables. The registered Morgan horses were shipped across the United States, to Europe and to Mexico.
His father’s expertise in Morgan horses led to a partnership with Disney on the made-for-TV film “Justin Morgan Had a Horse” in 1972. He was the technical adviser for the movie, in charge of finding horses to play the role of Figure, the father of the Morgan breed.
His father’s love of horses and art mingled at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. Red Fox Stable’s first horse, or foundation sire, and three-time California State Fair champion Lippitt Pecos is cast in life-size bronze and on display at museum, which he founded in 1965.
“He loved art, and he loved horses,” Robert said.
In addition, his father had a thriving law practice. Morgan joined his father in the practice once he completed law school.
“He did the work of three lawyers. Then he would always have his charitable stuff going on. It was ironic he was struck down so hard.”
His father was injured in an auto accident in 1983.
“A drunk driver ran a red light and just about killed him,” his son said. “It took a big toll on him and his general quality of life declined.”
After the accident, he wrote a book called “Morgan Horse of the West.”
“I get requests for that book all of the time,” Robert said. “His longtime legal secretary helped him prepare the book, and it was published in a very short run of books. I could sell a lot more if I had them.”
His health continued to deteriorate over the years until he died in 1999 at age 75.
Morgan is continuing the breeding program at his business called Triton Morgan Horses in Hollister. Some of the young horses he couldn’t move are still at the old stables in Gilroy.
Last year, he decided to restart an essay contest for a Morgan fowl his father had started in late 60s.
The contest is open to people 18 or under who live in San Benito County.
“It was one of the most rewarding things that I had ever done when I did it last year,” Morgan said.
For details on the essay contest, visit www.tritonmorgans.com.
Jodi Engle can be reached at 408-842-6400 or at [email protected]
