Grass Valley loses Loma Rica Ranch legend Edith Freitas

Photo submitted to The Union by the Freitas family Henry and Edith Freitas, seen here at some time in late '80s or early '90s, ran the Loma Rica Horse Ranch outside Grass Valley for four decades. Henry passed away in 2001 and Edith joined him on Dec. 20.

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Photo submitted to The Union by the Freitas family Henry and Edith Freitas, seen here receiving the 1952 Governor's Handicap from Gov. Earl Warren, ran the Loma Rica Horse Ranch outside Grass Valley for four decades. Henry passed away in 2001 and Edith joined him on Dec. 20.

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Annita Kasparian |

Photo for The Union by Annita Kasparian The site of the former Loma Rica Horse Ranch, located near the intersection of Brunswick and Idaho Maryland roads, has sat unused for years.

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Photo submitted to The Union by the Freitas family Henry Freitas at the Loma Rica Horse Ranch outside Grass Valley, which he ran with his wife for four decades. Henry passed away in 2001 and the widow Edith joined him on Dec. 20.

Expand Photo

Annita Kasparian |

Photo for The Union by Annita Kasparian The site of the former Loma Rica Horse Ranch, located near the intersection of Brunswick and Idaho Maryland roads, has sat unused for years.

Expand Photo

Annita Kasparian |

Photo for The Union by Annita Kasparian The site of the former Loma Rica Horse Ranch, located near the intersection of Brunswick and Idaho Maryland roads, has sat unused for years.

A vestige of California’s thoroughbred horse racing golden days passed away shortly before Christmas, depriving Grass Valley of an icon. Edith Freitas, widow of Henry Freitas, who managed Loma Rica Horse Ranch for four decades, passed away Dec. 20. Freitas, 88, ran the renowned ranch with her husband, helping organize the family and feed the many guests and riders who lived there, such as John Shirreffs, a trainer who won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with long-shot horse Giacomo. “They took him in like a son,” said Roxann Freitas, their daughter who grew up on the ranch. “He learned racing …