Jess Jackson, owner of Stonestreet Stables, died Thursday in his home in Geyserville, California due to complications from cancer. He was 81.

Jackson, a native of Los Angeles, was the owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time Horse of the Year winner Curlin.

He started out his career in racing thoroughbreds during the 1960s, alongside his uncle Dr. I.B. Ballenger. But it was in 2003 when he took it very seriously.

In 2004, he purchased 95 horses for $22 million. Two years later, he acquired the Buckram Oak Farm in Lexington and made it the Kentucky headquarters of his business.

Jackson was also co-founder of the Kendall-Jackson winery.

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