Thoroughbred Pioneer, Philanthropist. In 1962, he bought Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, started a thoroughbred operation breeding and racing horses for more than 40 years. He founded the Breeders’ Cup in 1982, to promote and unite the industry. With the support of NBC to televise the series, championship races began at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles in 1984. The Breeders' Cup has been held at other tracks in the United States and Canada since then and is the world's richest day of racing. He also founded the National Thoroughbred Association, a precursor to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the creation of the Kentucky Horse Park. As director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., he sold a collection of his paintings for more than $21 million and opened the Gaines Center for Humanities at the University of Kentucky, in 1986. He received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 1984, was honored for his contributions to English racing and breeding, with the Duke of Devonshire Award and the Lord Derby Award. He was elected to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Cause of death, diabetes at age 76.
Thoroughbred Pioneer, Philanthropist. In 1962, he bought Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, started a thoroughbred operation breeding and racing horses for more than 40 years. He founded the Breeders’ Cup in 1982, to promote and unite the industry. With the support of NBC to televise the series, championship races began at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles in 1984. The Breeders' Cup has been held at other tracks in the United States and Canada since then and is the world's richest day of racing. He also founded the National Thoroughbred Association, a precursor to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the creation of the Kentucky Horse Park. As director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., he sold a collection of his paintings for more than $21 million and opened the Gaines Center for Humanities at the University of Kentucky, in 1986. He received the Eclipse Award of Merit in 1984, was honored for his contributions to English racing and breeding, with the Duke of Devonshire Award and the Lord Derby Award. He was elected to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Cause of death, diabetes at age 76.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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