Longtime chairman of KY’s Runnymede Farm dies at 101

The patriarch of a successful Kentucky thoroughbred farm in Paris has died.

Catesby Clay, the longtime Runnymede Farm chairman and president emeritus, passed away on Sept. 29, aged 101.

He died peacefully in his bedroom at the farm beneath the one he was born, according to a Blood Horse article.

Clay managed the Runnymede Farm for the past five decades. He is the third generation to lead operations on the farm, which was founded by his grandfather, Ezekiel Clay. His son Brutus Clay III now operates the farm as chief executive officer.

While he was the farm’s president he helped breed more than 50 stakes winners, including 20 grand winners, five Grade 1 winners and a champion and earner of $8 million, according to the farm’s website.

Three of his horses finished in the money in the Kentucky Derby: Partez in 1981, Wild Gale in 1992 and Tejano Run in 1995. Clay served on the Kentucky Racing Commission and the board of directors of Churchill Downs from 1953 to 1998. He was awarded the Honored Guest award from the Thoroughbred Club of America in 2009.

In addition to his work in the thoroughbred industry, Clay was a member of the Church of Annunciation in Paris, served on the board of the Hope Center in Lexington, and contributed to the Big Brothers and the Paris Food Bank.

He was on the board of directors for the Lexington School from 1974 to 1985 and regent for the board at Georgetown University, where he graduated.

Clay is survived by his wife, eight children and 15 grandchildren. Visitation is scheduled for Oct. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Runnymede House. A funeral mass will be held Oct. 4 at the Church of the Annunciation in Paris at 10 a.m.