01.10.23
It is with great regret we report that Sam Ross, co-owner with Mike Hall of Breeze Easy, LLC, passed on December 22, at the age of 79, in Jupiter, Florida.
Described as “a visionary behind many companies..” all of which were based in his hometown of Parkersburg, West Virginia, Ross sold his SBR group in 2006, but continued to own Woodcraft Supply, LLC, a chain of woodworking specialty related stores which operates in 34 states, and to participate in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In addition to the sale of SBR, 2006 also marked the formation of the Ross Foundation, which supports charitable efforts in several West Virginia counties.
Ross entered the racing and breeding industry in 2016 when he and business partner, Mike Hall, founded Breeze Easy, LLC. Quickly becoming a force at the track and in the sale ring – where it is now well represented as both a buyer and seller – Breeze Easy scored a notable racing triumph two years later when the Wesley Ward-trained Shang Shang Shang shipped to Royal Ascot and captured the Norfolk Stakes (G2). The following year, another Ward trainee, Four Wheel Drive, was undefeated in three juvenile outings, culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). Other standouts to carry the Breeze Easy colors have been multiple graded stakes wining sprint star, Imprimis; Late Night Pow Wow, a West Virginia-bred, who captured the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3), and was grade one placed; Marine Stakes (G3) scorer Easy Time; multiple stakes winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) third, Outadore; and other stakes winners Curlin’s Honor (owned in partnership with John Oxley), Devine Mischief, Curlin’s Catch and Karak. Most recently, Boppy O (owned in partnership with John Oxley) captured with 2022 With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.
Sam Ross is survived by his wife, Susan Storck Ross, sons Samuel B. “Tres” Ross, III and Spencer Brownell Ross, and four grandchildren. A “Celebration of Life” ceremony will be held at later date to be announced.