Alex Campbell Jr., who owned and bred horses for some six decades and in recent years enjoyed success with grade 1 winner Karlovy Vary and her progeny, died Aug. 15 in Delray, Fla., according to family friends and associates. He was 95.
Lexington native Campbell saw his homebred Karlovy Vary, a daughter of Dynaformer—The Right Pew, by Pulpit, win the 2012 Ashland Stakes (G1) over other 3-year-olds at his beloved hometown track, Keeneland. He then enjoyed seeing many of her foals enjoy success in recent years, including grade 1-placed multiple grade 2 winner Mean Mary and grade 1-placed grade 3 winner Bye Bye Melvin.
A member of The Jockey Club, Campbell took pride in the sport and also his community. His philanthropy benefited Lexington, where two of the city's signature downtown spaces—Triangle Park and Thoroughbred Park—were made possible by Campbell's vision.
Stuart Janney III, chairman of The Jockey Club, saw that commitment first-hand.
"I knew Alex Campbell as someone who was successful in business, with his Thoroughbreds, and in his community," Janney said. "He enjoyed a long life and enriched the lives of so many along the way. We were proud to have him as a member of The Jockey Club for 34 years. He will be missed."
In an Oct. 31, 2020, BloodHorse story on Campbell, close friend and former Keeneland president James E. "Ted" Bassett said Campbell made a point of not publicizing his philanthropy.
"He has been one of Lexington's most benevolent supporters," Bassett said. "And he has supported a wide range of civic and educational projects almost unknown. He has shunned publicity most of his life.
"His charitable philosophy has been 'giving is its own reward.' That has been a driving force behind his outlook," Bassett added. "He really has contributed generously to Transylvania (University). And he steps up annually on The Jockey Club initiatives for equine improvement. He has always stepped up first for things that are for the best interest of the sport."
As for that career, after a start in the tobacco business Campbell made several fortuitous business decisions. He acquired stock in First Security Bank in Lexington, which at the time towered over the local competition. The bank was later sold to Bank One, which in turn was purchased by JPMorgan Chase. Campbell, along with friend W.T. Young, was an early investor in what became Humana Hospitals.
On the racing side, a pair of homebreds out of Turk O Witz and trained by Ron McAnally would enjoy top-level success. Queens Court Queen won the 1995 Santa Maria Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita Park and the following year Mr Purple won the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
Other top runners for Campbell included two-time grade 3 winner Ultra Brat and grade 3 winner It's Tea Time. The aforementioned Karlovy Vary was conditioned by George (Rusty) Arnold while Mean Mary and Bye Bye Melvin were trained by Graham Motion, who recalled how much Campbell would look forward to racing at Keeneland. Motion said it was special to have a connection with someone from Campbell's generation who put so much into racing.
"I wish I'd met him 30 years ago but in the short space of time that I knew him he was very influential in just the way he treated his horses," Motion said. "He was dedicated to this sport for a long, long time. And with the (2022) passing of Mrs. (Josephine) Abercrombie, he may have been the last from that generation."
In the BloodHorse Magazine story on Campbell, the owner recalled first meeting Motion and letting Motion know that the trainer would be the boss if they chose to work together.
"I remember when I introduced myself to him...he wasn't looking for more clients," Campbell said. "I told him my philosophy, which is people that ruin a lot of stables are owners that try to train horses. They say to their trainer, 'John, I'd like to run in so-and-so stakes next Saturday.' The trainer tries to tell him that the horse doesn't belong there, but some of the owners I've known don't listen to their trainers.
"It's ridiculous to pay a man that has talent that you don't have and then try to not do what he says," he said. "I told him right off that I'll never tell you what to do or when or criticize your workouts, but you will see a lot of me because I like to go out and watch them work. I won't say anything unless you say, 'Gee, Mr. Campbell, think that was a great workout?' Then I'll say, 'Yes, sir.' "
This story will be updated with any arrangements.
