Former Fasig-Tipton director Raymond Buse dead

Raymond "Pat" Buse, an Ohio Thoroughbred owner and former director of Fasig-Tipton, died March 3 in Cincinnati, according to Cincinnati.com. He was 85.

Buse was part owner of the Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals in the late 1960s and operated his family's R. L. Buse whiskey brokerage in Ohio and Old Boone Distillery in Kentucky. He got involved in the Thoroughbred business reluctantly, following the interests of his late wife, Marjorie, and his children, who rode hunter-jumpers.

"Once he got into the horses, the horses were his biggest passion by far," his brother, Barry Buse told Cincinnati.com.

Buse eventually bought farms in Ohio and Kentucky, served as president of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners in 1971-72, and joined the board of Fasig-Tipton. He remained a board member of the breeders' and owners group and the owner of Meadow Springs Farm in Pleasant Plain, Ohio, at his death.

Among Buse's best runners was his homebred Etonian mare Round Bottom, a stakes-winner and was the champion Ohio-bred 3-year-old filly in 1972.

Buse's survivors include his children, Barbara Vollmer, Jane Burke, and Raymond Buse; brother Barry Buse; and sister Roseanne Brockman. Funeral services will take place Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Rose Church, 2501 Riverside Driver, Cincinnati.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45224 or to Thoroughbred Charities of America, P.O. Box 910668, Lexington, Ky. 40591.