“His Legacy Will Forever Be Felt”: Equestrian Community Mourns the Loss of 84 Years Old Kentucky Horse Industry Champion Brereton Jones

Brereton C. Jones a prominent figure in the Kentucky equestrian industry and former governor of Kentucky has passed away. He was 84 years of age and left behind his wife Libby, son Bret, and daughter Lucy. Jones was the governor from 1991 to 1995 and prior to it served as lieutenant governor. His tenure is remembered for many reforms.

The saddening news was first revealed by the current governor Andy Beshear. In a social media post, he shared the news and remembered Jones as a dedicated leader and distinguished thoroughbred owner. Jones who was a horse breeder and farm owner has contributed immensely to the development of the equestrian industry in the state in his lifetime.

The equestrian community remembers the late former governor

The passing away of the former governor Brereton Jones has saddened the equestrian community of which he was an influential figure and worked for its development. According to paulickreport, Jones has done two important works for the horse racing industry. First, he aided in the establishment of the Kentucky Equine Education Project in the year 2004 and worked as its chairman until 2011. At KEEP he worked with authorities to get to operate historical horse racing which resulted in huge returns at the Kentucky track. During his tenure led to a significant change in the policy which benefitted horse owners, trainers, and equestrian enthusiasts in the state. The Second important work was he was successful in establishing the Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund to develop the breeding industry.

Remembering the former governor, the chairman of KEEP, Case Clay said, “Governor Brereton Jones was a true champion for Kentucky’s horse industry“. He further said, “His legacy will forever be felt in our organization and throughout the entire equine community“. Jones was the founding member of the Breeder’s Cup and played a significant role in bringing different parties together after the idea of John Gaines was in jeopardy. He worked as a treasurer of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors from 1984-86 and as Director of Breeder’s Cup 1988-89 and 1996-2005. Jones’s identity as a thoroughbred owner remained prime and shall be remembered for Airdrie Stud.

About Airdrie Stud

A native of West Virginia, Jones had a little horse farm there and visited Keeneland in Lexington quite often. There he met his future wife Libby and married in the year 1970. In 1972, he opened with his wife Airdrie Stud in an area near Midway, Kentucky. As time passed the stud grew among prominent names in the thoroughbred industry around the world. The farm that stated 350 acres of land expanded to 2,500 acres.

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The stud is now managed by their son Bret Jones. The farm has bred and owned hundreds of horses many of whom were stakes winners. Among them are Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell in 2009, Believe You Can in 2012, and Lovely Maria in 2015. Airdrie Stud bred Carl Pollard’s Caressing was the winner of  Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in the year 2000. Overall seventeen horses bred by the farm took part in Breeder’s Cup World Championship.

The demise of the former governor and thoroughbred owner Brereton Jones has saddened the equestrian community. He was instrumental in the development of the breeding industry and overall equestrian industry in the state of Kentucky. His policies bore fruit and have left a legacy behind to remember.

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