John and Jerry Amerman
August 19th, 2024
by Jay Privman
Whether running one of the most-famous toy companies in the world, or quietly donating funds to help deserving students get a leg up with scholarships, John and Jerry Amerman for decades have sought to allow children and young adults to live their best lives.
John reached the zenith of an accomplished business career as the chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, home of the iconic Barbie and “I’m Just” Ken. He and wife Jerry have been long-time supporters of the Gregson Foundation, whose main purpose is providing grants and scholarships for children of backstretch personnel based in California.
It is for their years of generosity to the Gregson Foundation that the Amermans are being honored tonight. But this evening also presents an opportunity to acknowledge their far-reaching accomplishments, both in the business world and in Thoroughbred racing.
In addition to his tenure with Mattel, John also served as president of American Chicle Group – part of Warner-Lambert Group – and on the boards of Aegis, Knoll, and Unocal, among others.
In racing, John has been on the boards of the Breeders’ Cup, California Horse Racing Board, Jockey Club, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association, Thoroughbred Owners of California, and Tranquility Farm. Jerry’s volunteer work has included the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Foundation, and the Center for Equine Health at the University of California-Davis.
Their Peacefield Farm in nearby Temecula, about an hour northeast of Del Mar, rehabs both race and show horses.
For more than a quarter century, the Amermans have raced at the top levels of the sport, highlighted by victories in Breeders’ Cup Distaff with Adoration in 2003 and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in 2016 with four-time Grade 1 winner Oscar Performance, who has gone on to be a successful sire.
They have won more than 25 Grade 1 races, including with three-time Grade 1 winner Balance, Coffee Clique, three-time Grade 1 winner Happyanunoit, two-time Woodward winner Lido Palace, two-time Grade 1 winner Mash One, Siphonic, two-time Grade 1 winner Spoken Fur, and, just last month, with Trikari – a son of Oscar Performance – in the Belmont Derby.
The Amermans have supported racing on every front, from the frontside to the backside to the boardroom, from coast to coast, always with the utmost class and dignity. For all that and more, the Gregson Foundation is proud to honor them this evening.