Ron Hagen, 81, passed away September 12, 2026, in Kent. He was born February 1, 1945, in Roseau, Minnesota, the eldest of four sons born to Kenneth and Muriel Hagen.
Ron was raised with horses in North Dakota and Wyoming, where his father was a horse dealer. His dad would buy, break and resell the horses. Ron remembered attending horse sales starting when he was five years old.
Ron moved to Washington in 1969 and five years later got involved with racing Quarter Horses, competing at Elma, Dayton, Kennewick and the other fair meets. When looking for a place to board his horses he met Nina — who was working at a stable. They were married on May 2, 1982, at Inverwood Stables on the Pine Lake plateau in what is now Sammamish. It was a unique wedding as all the members of the wedding party were mounted on horseback and wore Western attire. The preacher married the couple as he stood in a buckboard wagon.
Ron founded Design Air Limited in Kent. The company offered heating, ventilation and air conditioning services. In 1997 Ron's company would help build and service the WTBOA Sales Pavilion and offices. Ron also built and donated the portable sales barns at Emerald Downs.
The Hagens acquired their first Thoroughbred runners in 1981 and bought the original Enumclaw property which would become El Dorado Farms in December 1983. Today, the farm is comprised of six separate pieces totaling 100 acres.
The Hagens have been Washington's leading breeders nine times, including 2022-25. The first time their names appeared among the top 50 Washington breeders was in 2000.
Nina and Ron Hagen have bred six Washington champions, either alone or in partnership: Knight Raider (who would produce champion Freightline); Slew the Man; Dutton; Coastal Kid; and the farm's most recent champion Saleen G T in 2023.
Besides many other stakes winners, the Hagens also bred platers of the year Indian Weaver (2011) and Knight Club (2016); and most improved platers Percy's Bluff (2016), Exit Sixty Slew (2017), and Coastal Jazz (2024).
At the height of El Dorado Farms operation, they foaled up to 80 mares and stood eight stallions
El Dorado Farms is annually a leading consignor at WTBOA Summer Yearling Sales and sold the sale topper in 2023.
In 2017, the Hagens were honored with the S. J. Agnew Special Achievement Award and in 2025 were inducted into the breeder category of the Washington Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame as well as being named TOBA winners for Washington State. Ron served one term on the WTBOA Sales Committee (2006-08).
Ron raced several horses with wife Nina and in partnership through the years, including Emerald Downs' 2026 top 2-year-old filly Mattie Goincoastal, who the Hagens also bred.
The diplomatic Ron once said he had no individual favorite equine but felt that all breeds and horses were special.
He was predeceased by his parents; and brother, Richard. Ron is survived by his wife, Nina; son, Kenny; grandson, Reese; and brothers, Duaine (Sheila) and Gary (Roseann).
A viewing will be held Wednesday, September 30 from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Week's Funeral Home in Buckley (451 Cemetery Rd) followed by an honorary drive past El Dorado Farms and on to a 1:00 p.m. graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park (23717 SE 416th Ave, Enumclaw). A horse drawn carriage will escort Ron to the Memorial Park.
A celebration of Ron's life will be held at Emerald Downs in 2027. Date to be announced later.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
