John Jefferson Carr was born in Houston in 1924 before moving to Corpus Christi as a teenager. His South Texas roots remained strong throughout his life. He attended Texas A&M University until the summer of 1943 when he entered the military and served with distinction in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division in the European theater. After the war he returned to Corpus Christi to practice law and founded Carr Oil, an oil and gas exploration company.
Carr’s success in business led his entry into the world of horse racing. First with Quarter Horses and later he moved to Thoroughbreds. A number of Carr’s Quarter running horses made the consolation of the All American Futurity, and for over 30 years he was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Jeff’s interest in Thoroughbreds revolved primarily around breeding. His first venture was one that would try his resolve. After purchasing a million-dollar winning son of Alydar, Jeff went through the tragedy of losing the stud due to injury before its third breeding season. Still determined, Carr bought a track record holding grandson of Seattle Slew named Shots Are Ringing and was a significant presence at TTA sales of yearlings and broodmares.
Jeff Carr worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the passage of pari-mutuel racing in Texas for many years. When the horse racing bill finally passed in 1987, Carr was first in line to invest in Retama Partners Ltd., the developer of Retama Park Racetrack. Jeff’s insight and business acumen served the partnership well during its formative stages. He was elected Chairman of the Board and President from 1997 until his death in January 2002.
Carr’s success in business led his entry into the world of horse racing. First with Quarter Horses and later he moved to Thoroughbreds. A number of Carr’s Quarter running horses made the consolation of the All American Futurity, and for over 30 years he was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Jeff’s interest in Thoroughbreds revolved primarily around breeding. His first venture was one that would try his resolve. After purchasing a million-dollar winning son of Alydar, Jeff went through the tragedy of losing the stud due to injury before its third breeding season. Still determined, Carr bought a track record holding grandson of Seattle Slew named Shots Are Ringing and was a significant presence at TTA sales of yearlings and broodmares.
Jeff Carr worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the passage of pari-mutuel racing in Texas for many years. When the horse racing bill finally passed in 1987, Carr was first in line to invest in Retama Partners Ltd., the developer of Retama Park Racetrack. Jeff’s insight and business acumen served the partnership well during its formative stages. He was elected Chairman of the Board and President from 1997 until his death in January 2002.