Fred Bradley, who campaigned Brass Hat, Groupie Doll, dies at 85

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fred Bradley, who in recent years bred and campaigned Brass Hat and Groupie Doll in partnership with his son, Buff, died early Friday after a lengthy illness in Wilmore, Ky. He was 85.

Fred Bradley was born in Evansville, Ind., and raised in rural western Kentucky before becoming immersed in a variety of successful endeavors that included business, politics, law, and horses. He was a Kentucky state representative from 1981-2000.

With Buff as trainer, Fred marveled in the exploits of Brass Hat, an earner of $2.17 million, and Groupie Doll, a two-time female sprint champion who earned nearly $2.65 million and later sold at auction for $3.1 million.

“My dad really was one of a kind,” said Buff Bradley.

Arrangements were pending as of Friday afternoon.