Bloodstock agent Lossen dies at age 76

Richard W. Lossen, a prominent owner, breeder, and bloodstock agent, died Tuesday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Ky., at age 76.

An Ohio native, Lossen followed his parents on the rodeo circuit in his youth before his family settled in Warren, Ohio, to train Thoroughbreds. Lossen spent his summers as an exercise rider, groom, and hotwalker for his father, Joseph Lossen, in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Lossen eventually ventured into the yearling pinhook market and moved to Lexington in the 1970s to hang his shingle as a bloodstock agent. In the 1980s, Lossen handled a portfolio of stallion shares that included Mr. Prospector, Seattle Slew, Danzig, and Secretariat.

His successful purchases for clients included the champion Turkoman and the Grade 1 winner Jameela, who later became the dam of the champion Gulch. He also secured as agent the dams of Awesome Feather, Stormello, Bail Out Becky, Double Trigger, Miswaki, Deputy Minister, and Midshipman, as well as the granddam of the Horse of the Year Wise Dan. Lossen also bought, sold, or syndicated stallions, including Bernstein, Put It Back, Hoist the Silver, Valid Expectations, and Kitalpha.

One of his biggest successes was arranging the financing to supplement Wild Again to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1984 for $360,000. Wild Again won at long odds for client Bill Allen.

Lossen is survived by his three children, Joe Lossen, John Lossen, and Kate Lossen McStay, and granddaughter Abby Lossen.

The family is planning an informal gather of friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Eastern Saturday at McCarthy’s Irish Bar in Lexington. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may donate to the Bluegrass Conservancy, 380 S. Mill St., Suite 205, Lexington, KY 40508.