With profound sorrow and immense respect, the Blooded Horse Sales Company has announced the passing of the Company's longtime General Manager and President, Jerry M. Haws. He was 85 years old. Jerry passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, surrounded by his family following a battle with lung cancer.

Continuity of Leadership and Operations

Driven by Jerry M. Haws's deep commitment to the Company's long-term future, the Board of Directors placed a strong emphasis on proactive succession planning. To ensure a seamless transition, the Board appointed Jerry Haws Jr. (JJ), as General Manager and President at the beginning of this year.

The Board continues to express its absolute confidence in JJ’s leadership skills and ability to guide the Company into its next chapter.

“Jerry led the sale with a constant focus on treating people fairly and providing the best value for our customers. We will continue to serve our clients with integrity and work hard to honour the incredible legacy my grandfather and my dad built,” said JJ Haws. “Our people and their knowledge are our strongest asset; we are blessed to have such committed employees. We maintain our promise to our clients who have trusted us with their business for decades and look forward to doing so for years to come.”

Billie Haws, Jerry’s wife, will continue in her vital capacity as Office Manager and Company Secretary. Further anchoring the company's continuity and tech-driven efficiency are Jerry’s sons, Charles Haws, who serves as Technology Architect, and Asa Haws, who oversees technology operations. Together with President JJ Haws, the family and the Company's dedicated team assure all consignors, buyers and industry partners that business will proceed seamlessly. Clients can remain entirely confident that their auctions, account management and trusted relationships with Blooded Horse Sales will continue without a single moment of interruption.

The legacy of Jerry M. Haws

Jerry was born on Dec. 28, 1940, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He was a 1959 graduate of Guthrie High School and earned his BA in Chemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 1964. He proudly served in the Army National Guard and was called to active duty during the Vietnam conflict, serving at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and Ft. Hood, Texas.

For more than five decades, Jerry was deeply dedicated to serving and advancing the Standardbred horse industry. In 1975, he joined his former father-in-law, Asa H. Jewell, at the Blooded Horse Sales Company after his predecessor Robert B. Jewell stepped away. Jerry proudly served as president of the company for nearly 50 years before transitioning the role to his son, Jerry Junior (JJ), earlier this year.

Under Jerry’s leadership, the Company leaned into technology and efficiency which continued to solidify its place in the Standardbred horse industry.

“Jerry was a true visionary; as the world changed, he leaned in. He asked his son Charles to write a custom program that produced print-ready pedigrees; that innovation made everything faster and more accurate,” noted his wife, Billie Haws. “We later added online bidding. Jerry was always looking for ways to make us better.”

The work was his true passion, and he treasured the employees of the sale company, whom he considered an extension of his own family. He built a culture where everyone knew their job mattered and everyone knew Jerry had their back.

Jerry also dedicated years of service to the boards of directors for the United States Trotting Association (USTA), New Vocations Retired Racehorse Adoption Program and Kentucky Harness Horseman Association (KHHA), where he also served several years as vice-president.

He is survived by his beloved wife Billie (Brumfield); his children JJ (Nancy) Haws, Charles (Shira Karp) Haws, Asa Haws, Britt Clem, JL Clem and Mateya Hartley; and his grandchildren, Jo and Clara Haws.

Honouring Jerry’s Memory

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Wilmore Presbyterian Church. An additional hour of visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the funeral service. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Wilmore Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Doctor Beth Garrod-Logsdon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wilmore Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY 40390.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Haws.

(With files from Blooded Horse Sales Co.)