Joy Gilbert, equine photographer, dies at age 54

Equine photographer Joy Gilbert died Monday, Feb. 3, at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington after a lengthy illness. She was 54.

Gilbert, a resident of Nicholasville, Ky., was best known for her stallion conformation photography for several Central Kentucky farms, as well as photos of young horses, mares, and scenic shots.

The farms that utilized Gilbert’s services included Lane’s End, Spendthrift Farm, Mill Ridge Farm, Vinery, Airdrie Stud, Juddmonte Farm, Crestwood Farm, Ashford Stud, Walmac Farm, Castleton Lyons, Hopewell Farm, Darley, Double Diamond Farm, Millennium Farm, Margaux Farm, and Ramsey Farm.

B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm released a statement via their Facebook page on Feb. 4, expressing condolences and stating, “Joy did a tremendous job of taking our conformation pictures of our stallions. Joy was a very key player in our ability to market our stallions and did a great job of getting just the perfect shot. Joy worked with Spendthrift since the time Mr. Hughes bought the farm and she will be missed.”

Gilbert is survived by her husband, Kevin; daughter, Hannah Cheyenne Gilbert; brother, Tom Brumagen; and mother, Vivian Brumagen. She was preceded in death by her father, John Brumagen.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 7, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home in Lexington, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Visitation prior to the service will be held from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and burial will be in Blue Grass Memorial Gardens.