Courtesy California Horse Racing Board
Chuck Winner, an internationally recognized expert in public affairs, crisis communications, and campaign management, who served on the California Horse Racing Board from 2012 to 2019, five of those years as chairman, passed away Thursday morning, Mar. 24, from natural causes at the age of 81.
Mr. Winner guided the CHRB through difficult times, most notably during the winter of 2019 when a rash of equine fatalities at Santa Anita Park attracted worldwide scrutiny. He led the push for improved safety measures to protect horses and riders, which resulted in greater equine health and welfare throughout California.
After advising Governor Gavin Newsom's office that he would not be seeking reappointment after he completed his second term as a racing commissioner on July 26, 2019, Mr. Winner said, “It's been a challenging yet fulfilling seven years. My colleagues and I have faced some challenging and critical issues. I hope that we have made a positive difference.”
Mr. Winner is survived by his wife, Annie, and four children: Justyn, Ethan, Nicole, and Zach. Private funeral arrangements are pending.
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