Louise Humphrey, breeder of Gemologist, dies at 93

Louise Ireland Humphrey, who bred Gemologist and other graded winners, died March 18 at her Woodfield Springs Plantation in Miccosukee, Fla., according to the Tallahassee Democrat. She was 93.

Humphrey bred Gemologist in partnership with her son G. Watts Humphrey Jr. WinStar owns the undefeated Tiznow colt, who is pointing for the April 7 Wood Memorial following a seven-length allowance score at Gulfstream on March 16. The son of Crystal Shard, by Mr. Prospector, won last year’s Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Humphrey and her son also bred such graded winners as Baletti, Ravel, and Personal Legend. Together they campaigned Victory Ride, winner of the 2001 Test Stakes, and bred and raced her graded-placed daughter Magical Ride.

A lifelong sportswoman, Humphrey was the first female joint-Master of Ohio’s Chagrin Valley Hunt. She also maintained a prominent private beagle pack, the Woodfield Beagles, and founded the Duck Blind Kennels to breed working Labrador retrievers. She also was the first female president of the Metropolitan Opera.

Humphrey is survived by sons George and Watts Humphrey Jr., and seven grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert “Bud” Humphrey, and daughter Margo Bindhardt.

Funeral services were to be private. The family suggests donations to the Archbold Medical Center Foundation, 910 Broad Street, Thomasville, Ga., 31792; the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York, N.Y., 10023; or the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, Ky. 40503.