Original Breeders' Cup Board Member Philpott Dies

James A. Philpott Jr., a longtime advocate for the Thoroughbred industry and an original member of the Breeders' Cup board of directors, died Sept. 2 at the age of 77. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Mauzé Philpott. Philpott was the last surviving member of the initial Breeders' Cup board of directors and served as a member of the board until his death. He volunteered his time for nearly 30 years to keep the minutes for nearly every board meeting. He graduated from Washington and Lee University and subsequently from the university's law school. After practicing law in his native North Carolina, Philpott did the same in New York City before moving to Lexington in 1980. The move coincided with his being named executive vice president and general counsel of Gainesway Farm. During that time, Philpott worked with John Gaines on the business plan that would become the Breeders' Cup. The Breeders' Cup in a statement said, "It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of Jim Philpott. Mr. Philpott served the Breeders' Cup with great honor, distinction and with extraordinary business acumen for the first 25 years of the company's existence. He was one of 20 original 'members' who contributed initial funding to form the company. As such, he stayed active as a Member/Trustee his whole life. … We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Philpott's family and loved ones." Philpott told BloodHorse in 2009 about how he initially became interested in the Thoroughbred industry. "On my first date with my wife, we were at her parents' house in the afternoon and watched Chateaugay win the (Kentucky) Derby in 1963, so that's when we both became really interested in the Thoroughbred business," he said. In 1984, Philpott after starting a bloodstock business called Stallion Management Services, he and his partners pivoted and launched Live Foal Co., which he served as vice president and general counsel from 1986-1990. Philpott returned to private practice, where he focused on the syndication of Thoroughbreds. That changed in 2008 when he joined the law firm Stoll Keenon Ogden's equine law practice. Philpott's career was filled with many accolades. In 2016, he was elected president of the American College of Equine Attorneys. In addition to being a member of both the New York and Kentucky state bar associations, Philpott was vice president of the Washington and Lee School of Law alumni council, and served on the boards of the Lexington Philharmonic and The Lexington School. The family will hold a private service and requests that instead of flowers memorials to a charity of one's choice are preferred.