Keeneland auctioneer Caldwell, 63, dies from cancer

Keeneland auctioneer Cris Caldwell, known for his booming baritone and quick wit from the auction stand, died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63.

Caldwell, a fourth-generation auctioneer, worked for Keeneland from 1975 until this year, working the company's most recent sale, the January horses of all ages sale. He and his brother Scott, who also works for the Keeneland auction team, continued the legacy of their late father, Tom Caldwell, who had joined Keeneland in the 1950s and at one point served as the company’s director of auctions.

Cris Caldwell, who ran his family's Gavel Ranch in Oregon when he was not working at auctions, was preceded in death by Tom Caldwell, who died in 2001. He is survived by his mother, Mary Caldwell, who bred multiple Grade 1 winner Brother Derek; his brother Scott and sisters Georgeanna and Karen; and daughters Alden and Laurel.

“Cris was known for his work ethic, keen wit, and, like his father, his ability to command the sales ring, and he presided over some of the most memorable events in Keeneland sales history,” Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said in a statement released Saturday. “Within approximately three hours at the 2006 September yearling sale, he was the auctioneer for both Meydan City, who brought an auction-record $11.7 million, and Plavius, who sold for $9.2 million. At the November breeding stock sale, Cris sold Playful Act for a record $10.5 million, and he sold Kentucky Derby winner and future Hall of Famer Winning Colors for $4.1 million.

“Among the future stars Cris sold at the September sale were Hall of Famer Curlin, Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, Preakness winners Exaggerator and Cloud Computing, and Breeders’ Cup winners Liam's Map and Finest City.

“Keeneland extends its sincerest condolences to Cris’ brother, Scott, also a longtime member of Keeneland’s auction team; his daughters Alden and Laurel; and his entire family,” Thomason’s statement concluded. “He will be greatly missed.”

Funeral details have not yet been released.