Dean Hansen, who worked to develop Thoroughbred racing in South Dakota, died Feb. 17 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Hansen was 76.
A lifelong rancher in the Big Bend area east of Pierre, S.D., Hansen also raised and raced Thoroughbreds in South Dakota, the Midwest, and Canada. He was active in the South Dakota Thoroughbred Association for more than 40 years.
Based on Equibase stats available beginning in 1976, as a trainer Hansen had 274 wins from 2,448 starts before retiring in 2017. As an owner, Hansen captured the 1993 Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Handicap at Woodlands with Atlantis Blend. As owner and trainer, Hansen would send out Atlantis Blend to a third-place finish in the Executive Board Handicap later that year at the Lincoln State Fair.
A graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m., Feb. 25 at Riverside Cemetery in Pierre.
