Horseman Gerry Russell dead at 77

Gerry Russell, a former steeplechase jockey who also trained runners on the flat and the jumps, died on Sunday in Madisonville, Ky., following illness and complications related to dementia, according to his son Tony. He was 77.

Russell, a steeplechase jockey in his native England and then the United States, had a varied career in racing. After arriving in the United States more than 50 years ago, he worked as the farm manager and trainer for Crescent Hill Farm in Lexington, Ky., and trained both flat runners and steeplechase performers.

He rode in the inaugural High Hope Steeplechase and other major United States steeplechase races like the Oxmoor in Louisville and the Iroquois Steeplechase.

After briefly returning to England, Russell came back to Kentucky and worked in various roles in the racing industry, mostly related to travel and tourism, then returned to training.

As a trainer, Russell’s best-known horse was So Vague, who won the 1983 Hollywood Prevue and finished 11th in the 1984 Kentucky Derby, both times with female jockey P.J. Cooksey aboard. Russell’s filly Kaye’s Commander finished third in the 1974 Kentucky Oaks.

Russell later worked as a jockey agent for R.A. “Cowboy” Jones, and for Taylor Made and other farms in the Lexington area, before returning to the tourism industry, largely focused on farm visits in Kentucky or tours to major British steeplechase events, as well as Royal Ascot.

He also wrote for the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville, Ky., where he resided most recently.

Russell is survived by his wife, Linda, five children from his previous marriage, and three grandchildren.

A celebration of life memorial will be held Sunday at Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson, Ky. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. Central, with service to follow at 5 p.m.