Catesby Woodford Clay, the longtime chairman of Runnymede Farm who has now seen that historic nursery operated by the fourth generation of his family, died peacefully at his home on the Paris, Ky., farm Sept. 29. He was 101. Runnymede, where Clay was also born, is recognized by the historic preservation group the Daughters of the American Revolution as Kentucky’s oldest continually operated Thoroughbred nursery. It has been in the family since its founding in 1867 by Catesby Clay’s grandfather, Civil War Col. Ezekiel Clay, in 1867. The farm is currently under the stewardship of Catesby Clay's son Brutus Clay III, who took over the reins from his father in 2009. Runners bred or raised by Runnymede have played a major role in American racing history, including the Hall of Famer, 1887 Belmont winner, and prominent sire Hanover. Other noteworthy Runnymede horses include 1896 Kentucky Derby winner and Hall of Famer Ben Brush, fellow Hall of Famers Miss Woodford and Roamer, Derby winners Agile (1905) and Count Turf (1951), Preakness winner Buddhist (1889), Belmont winner Sir Dixon (1888), and 1973 Wood Memorial winner Angle Light, who famously upset Secretariat and Sham. In more recent years, Runnymede-bred runners have been led by the spirited and popular Eclipse Award champion Lady Eli, who returned from a battle with laminitis to win three additional Grade 1s. Other standouts turned out by the farm in recent years, bred alone or in partnership, have included Royal Ascot winner Undrafted, Metropolitan Handicap winner Divine Park, Pacific Classic winner Collected, and additional Grade 1/Group 1 winners Agnes Digital, Awesome Gem, Jaycito, Marylebone, and Palace Episode. Runnymede has been prominent in recent years as the birthplace of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, and his full brother, 2024 Belmont Stakes and Haskell Invitational winner Dornoch. Both colts were foaled at Runnymede and raised by the team there for breeder Grandview Equine. Beyond forging his reputation for raising elite runners, Clay served as a member of the Kentucky Racing Commission and as a 45-year stalwart on the board of directors of Churchill Downs. He was the Thoroughbred Club of America's guest of honor in 2009 and received the 2011 Hardboot Breeders Award from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, both typically awarded to respected and hands-on members of the industry. Clay was also a veteran of World War II, and was recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2023, when he celebrated his 100th birthday. In addition to his Thoroughbred pursuits, Clay made his living with Kentucky River Coal Corp. and its successor, Kentucky River Properties, for over seven decades, rising to president and chairman of the board. A devout Catholic, Clay championed corporate charitable efforts that resulted in millions of dollars in contributions and scholarships for Kentucky colleges and public school systems, in addition to the establishment of an endowment fund for nursing scholarships and funding for drug addiction treatment. He also supported Catholic missions from Kentucky to Africa and Asia. Clay is preceded in death by his mother, Agnes McEvoy Clay; father, Brutus J. Clay; stepfather, Sen. Johnson N. Camden; brother, Br. Brutus J. Clay, S.J.; and sisters Agnes Clay Pringle, Amelia Clay McCarthy, Anne Clay Kenan, and Sr. Mary Clay, RSCJ. Clay is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Clay; his children, Joseph (Brittain), Mary Elizabeth (the late David Blee), Camden, Brutus (Sarah), Fr. Chris, James, Kitty (Michael Taylor), and Amelia; and his 15 grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Oct. 3 from 4-7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at Runnymede House, 616 Cynthiana Road in Paris. A funeral Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Oct. 4 at the Church of the Annunciation, with interment following at Paris Cemetery and a reception at Runnymede House. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to be made in Clay's honor to the Catholic Diocese of Lexington Seminary Challenge, the Catholic Educational Opportunities Foundation Equine Fund, or the Hope Center of Lexington. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.