FORMER JOCKEY, DEL MAR AMBASSADOR LOVED SPORT

Ken Church, who became an ambassador for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club after his career as a jockey ended in 1967, died Monday morning in Reno, Nev., his daughter said. He was 90.

Church’s cause of death was listed as the result of contracting COVID-19. His daughter, Debbie Anderson, said Church was hospitalized last week after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Church won more than 2,000 races during his riding career.

But he became better known around Del Mar in his second career as a member of the track’s media team.

“Church was the perfect person for the role he filled,” Del Mar media director Mac Mcbride said Monday afternoon.

“Kenny was personable and knowledgeable,” continued

Mcbride. “He loved talking about Del Mar and racing and anyone who came in contact with him became his friend. “We’d send him out four and five times a week with a film projector to speak to groups and service clubs throughout the area. He’d show a 15minute film on Del Mar or racing, make a short pitch and then answer questions.

“Sometimes, the questionand-answer part would go on and on. Kenny would answer every question.”

At the track, Church filled a number of roles — doing television interviews, phoning in race results to radio stations and asking questions from the print media.

“He was very open with the media,” said Del Mar CEO Joe Harper. “He had personality and credentials, which made him a special source and talent. I remember once he was asked to do a two-minute TV spot and he turned it into a quarter-hour show.

“It was a special talent.” Church was born March 24, 1930, in Windsor, Canada. He started as an exercise rider in 1946 in Toronto and began his career the following year. Church won more than 2,000 races in a two-decade career that ended in May of 1967.

Church won the Canadian Championship Series in 1960 plus riding titles at Arlington Park (1950) and Washington Park (1953). He relocated to California in 1963 and rode at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park in addition to Del Mar.

Eight of his career total of 45 stakes wins came at Del Mar, including the Del Mar Handicap in 1963 (Mr. Consistency) and 1964 (Viking Spirit); the 1963 Del Mar Oaks (Hi Rated); the 1965 Del Mar Futurity (Coursing) and the 1965 Bing Crosby Handicap (Viking Spirit).

After retiring as a jockey, Church worked in the media departments at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park in addition to Del Mar. Church became a permanent part of the Del Mar media team after he and his wife, Nancy, moved to Olivenhain in 1974. He remained with the track through 1999.

In 1974, Church won the Rocking Chair Derby — Del Mar’s popular, old-timer race for retired jockeys that was held between 1973 and 1978. He competed in each running of the Rocking Chair Derby.

Church had lived in Reno since the late 1990s.

Church is survived by daughters Anderson of Encinitas and Laurie Kurluk of Phoenix; son Michael and nine grandchildren. There will be no services.

Center is a freelance writer.

Cedric Benson with 5,540. Campbell is No. 3 with 4,443.

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KEN CHURCH 1930-2020