Funeral arrangements for Ted Bassett, KY’s horse ambassador and Keeneland leader
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Kentucky horseman James E. “Ted” Bassett III, who died Thursday at age 103.
Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Monday at the Keeneland Clubhouse. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Central Christian Church at 205 E. Short St. in Lexington.
A private burial service will be at Lexington Cemetery, according to Bassett’s obituary.
Milward Funeral Directors is handling arrangements.
Bassett was a former president, chairman and trustee of Keeneland who led the track during a period of expansion and helped Kentucky-bred horses gain a wider audience that included the likes of of Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor.
He also served over the years as president of the Breeders’ Cup, chairman of the Kentucky Horse Park, chairman of the World Racing Championships and president of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations.
Bassett is credited with helping raise $2.7 million to save the Calumet Farm Trophy Collection from being auctioned after the farm’s bankruptcy and helping establish the Maxwell Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky.
