Lloyd Gentry, trainer of Proud Clarion and Graustark, dies at 87

Loyd “Boo” Gentry, who trained Graustark and the 1967 Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion, has died in Lexington at age 87.

Gentry trained his first winner, Big Head, at Tijuana, Mexico, in 1946, not long after serving in World War II with the Coast Guard. During the next six decades, he became best known for his association with the Cain Hoy and Darby Dan stables. For Harry Guggenheim’s Cain Hoy, Gentry trained such standouts as 1955 Kentucky Oaks winner Lalun and 1955 Blue Grass Stakes winner Racing Fool. For John W. Galbreath’s Darby Dan operation, he saddled Proud Clarion and Graustark, who was undefeated and headed for Kentucky Derby favoritism before sustaining a career-ending injury in the 1966 Blue Grass.

Gentry also trained 1969 Kentucky Oaks winner Hail to Patsy for Walter Kitchen. And he was an early trainer for Kauai King, who went on to win the 1966 Kentucky Derby and Preakness for Henry Forrest after Gentry closed his public stable in order to take over a string for Darby Dan.

Gentry also trained for Spendthrift owner Leslie Combs II, Jonabell Farm owner John A. Bell III, and Keeneland president Louis L. Haggin II. One of Haggin’s fillies, Himalayan, finished second for Gentry in the 1979 Kentucky Oaks.

– Glenye Cain Oakford