Carl Bowling, a longtime pinhooker in Ocala, Florida, died July 26 at the age of 84. The following is an obituary provided to the TDN by the Bowling family:
“Carl Bowling passed away July 26, 2024, resulting from an accident while riding a motorcycle near Hiawassee, GA, where he enjoyed his summers with his family in the North Georgia mountains. Carl was 84 years young, born in 1940 in Black Mountain, NC. He was one of two boys and five girls.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, as well as his five adult children: Tony and his wife Dawn, Tammi, Mark, Keith, and Delaney. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Carl's love for God and sharing the blessings God has given him was his greatest passion. He was quick to tell others of God's blessings in his life including saving his life after crashing his private plane six years ago.
Carl started in the race horse business in 1972 when he and his family started racing Quarter Horses. His racing operation added the name Straightaway Farm and was remarkably successful in the Quarter Horse circuit with notable horses such as Passum Flight, Wranglerette, Go Dicks Girl and many others. In 1977, Carl started the transition into Thoroughbred racing. His Straightaway Farm became known quite extensively through his success with horses such as City Zip, Western Pride, She Says It Best & many others. He was a great horseman with a vision, as well as a businessman with integrity, foresight and the desire to promote the racing industry. Carl was one of the pioneers in the “Pinhooking” of yearlings to 2-year-olds, before it ever gained the moniker of a pinhooker, at his farm in Ocala, Florida. Carl was a respected horseman, known for his knowledge of horses, his foresight promoting the racing industry and his ability to choose top racing prospects. Even more than those accomplishments, Carl was always ready and willing to help others succeed in this tough industry. He was always there to help anyone that asked and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and passion of the industry As one of the first to provide knowledge to Ocala Breeders Sales Company at its inception, Carl has also served on the Board of Directors there for many years. He retired from the Board following giving up the training aspect of his operation but was still partners with other horsemen, benefiting all involved. Carl was an icon in the industry and will be greatly missed by many.
A celebration of Carl's life is scheduled for Thursday, August 1st at 3:00pm at Bevis Funeral Home located at 200 John Knox Rd., Tallahassee, FL. The family requests that anyone that would like to please make a donation to Ocala Farm Ministry, 489 NW 110th Ave., Ocala, FL 34482 or www.ocalafarmministry.org in Carl's memory. The family knows not everyone can make it to the celebration of life so it will be live streamed here.”
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