Carolyn Groves, whose North Ridge bred Capote and Blushing John, dies

Carolyn T. Groves, who along with her husband helped develop North Ridge Farm near Lexington, Ky., into an Eclipse Award-winning breeding operation, died on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, Nev. She was 81.

Carolyn and Franklin N. Groves' North Ridge Farm was honored with the Eclipse Award as outstanding breeder in 1989, the year Blushing John, who the farm bred, claimed the Eclipse Award as champion older male horse. The Groves also bred Capote, the champion 2-year-old male of 1986.

North Ridge, a leading consignor at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, bred more than 65 stakes winners, including Grade 1 winners Tsunami Slew, Ruhlmann, Sabona and Latin American.

Kenneth T. Jones bought the North Ridge property in 1990.

Carolyn and Franklin Groves also developed a nationally prominent Saddlebred breeding and show stable.

A memorial service was held for Carolyn Groves on March 1 in Minneapolis, Minn. She is survived by her husband; three children; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.