If you followed Southern California racing in the 1980s, you saw his name in the papers regularly. But it was not due to him appearing on track and winning races.

He gained notoriety thanks to the greatest member of his progeny, a horse who would go on to be one of racing's most successful and popular figures. And in doing so, he ensured his sire would never fade into obscurity.

But well before his days as a stallion, the name of Ole Bob Bowers could still be found in newspapers and programs as a racehorse.

Foaled in 1963, Ole Bob Bowers came from the Bull Lea line. He was born in the same location as the legendary Cal-bred Silky Sullivan, though the farm was under a different name by the time Ole Bob Bowers came along.