TUCSON, Ariz. (February 27, 2026) — The University of Arizona is preparing to consolidate its equine programs at the university’s Campus Agricultural Center near Campbell Avenue and Roger Road. The move could lead to the sale of the Al Marah Equine Center on Tucson’s Eastside after more than a decade of student instruction and hands-on learning at the ranch.
University leaders said Jan. 15, 2026, that they plan to bring equine teaching, research, animal care, and staffing into one more accessible setting. They argue the shift will improve consistency in daily animal care, reduce operational complexity, and make it easier for students and faculty to participate without relying on carpools or long commutes.
Al Marah is an approximately 88-acre working ranch at 4101 N Bear Canyon Rd. It was originally built to breed, train, and market Al Marah Arabian horses. The property was left to the university after the death of philanthropist and horse breeder Ruth “Bazy” Tankersley in 2013, and the University of Arizona officially acquired it in 2015. In the context of Al-Marah as the name of the Arabian horse ranch (Bazy Tankersley’s program), it’s described as an Arabic word meaning “oasis.”…