Breeder Lucy Gay Bassett dies at age 87

Lucy Gay Bassett, wife of former Keeneland President Ted Bassett, died on May 1 at her home on Lanark Farm in Woodford County, Ky, near Midway. She was 87.

Born in Lexington on Aug. 5, 1928, Lucy Bassett was the daughter of the A. B. and Elizabeth Simms Gay. A. B. Gay was a prominent breeder and farm owner and served on the board of the Keeneland Association for years.

As a breeder, she bred more than ten stakes winners, including 2004 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Adoration, by Honor Grades out of Sewing Lady, by Key to the Mint. Adoration, who was sold for $40,000 at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale, won eight of 20 starts, including the 2004 Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, and earned $2,051,160.

She was graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts in 1950 and married James E. “Ted” Bassett in 1952. She was a real estate broker for decades, establishing the Rogers-Bassett real estate firm in 1975, and she was a dedicated and talented golfer, once being runner-up in the Lexington city golf championship.

She traveled extensively with her husband in his role as both president of Keeneland and as a president of Breeders’ Cup Ltd., and she was a familiar presence at Thoroughbred events nationally and internationally.

A graveside service will be held at the Lexington Cemetery on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern, and visitation will be at Milward on Broadway today from 5-7.