Dan Jones, a leading APHA breeder and owner whose influence on Paint Horse racing spanned decades, passed away on Sunday.

© courtesy Kaye Jones

By Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch

KEMP, TX–SEPTEMBER 19, 2025–The horse racing industry lost a towering figure this past weekend with the passing of leading APHA owner and breeder Dan Jones on Sunday, September 14, 2025. He was 79.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to share the loss of Dan Jones,” said his wife of 41 years, Kaye Jones. “The love of my life and the rock of the Jones family.”

Born June 26, 1946, in Hillsboro, Texas, Jones passed away peacefully at his home in Kemp, Texas, surrounded by his family.

Dan, an avid horseman, devoted his life to horses. Jones built a lasting legacy alongside his wife, Kaye, in the Paint Horse racing industry. Together, they bred, raised, and raced numerous champions. Among their foundation stock was the Blue Hen mare Elaina Go Go, dam of one of the breed’s most influential sires, CRM Livewire.

Jones raced and stood CRM Livewire, an APHA World Champion and Champion Running Paint, before selling him to Bryan Hawk last year.

CRM Livewire currently stands as the #1 all-time leading sire of money earners, siring more than $8 million in progeny earnings, 268 black type, six APHA World Champion offspring, and numerous other champions.

Jones and his wife bred and/or owned many of those champions, including CRM Livewire’s top earners, World Champion Southern Electric SI 100 ($320,244), World Champion Live Moonshine SI 99 ($269,965), Champion Bully Pulpit SI 103 ($319,909).

Their mare Elaina Go Go also produced other champions and multiple stakes winners such as Mimosa Lady SI 104 ($44,381), MHM Hotwire SI 92 ($41,931), Tales U Loose SI 90 ($44,264), CRM Radio Flyer SI 95 ($88,041), and DCM Furyofthestorm SI 88 ($43,494).

Consistently among the breed’s top producers, Dan and Kaye Jones currently rank as the #5 all-time leading APHA breeders, with more than $1.3 million in earnings.

Beyond his success on the track and in the breeding shed, Jones also served the sport as a leader and advocate. He was a past president of both the Appaloosa Racing Association and the Paint Racing Association.

His contributions were recognized by APHA with the Paul Harber Racing Distinguished Service Award, honoring his dedication and impact on the Paint racing industry.

Jones is preceded in death by his mother, Naomi Hodges; father, M.E. (Buddy) Jones; stepfather, William Hodges; sister, Connie Elaine; and son, Randall Craig Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Kaye Jones; daughters Tammy Jones Sanford, Kim Malsbury (George), and Brandi Dunks; seven grandchildren, Emily Marie Sanford (Luis Jimenez), Laura Sanford, Heath Malsbury, Dylan (Lexie) Malsbury, Callie Rose Malsbury, Payton (Tommy) Rivoire, and Morgan Kaye Morgan Pedroso; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Eubanks Funeral Home in Mabank, Texas.

Jones leaves behind not only a family who adored him but also a thriving bloodline of horses that will continue his influence in Paint Horse racing for generations to come.

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