Dr. Gary Lavin, a renowned equine veterinarian who was the first of his profession to be elected to The Jockey Club, died on Saturday at his home in Louisville, Ky., according to a release from his family. Lavin, who had been “afflicted by cancer for several years,” according to the release, was 83. Born into a racing family, Lavin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school in 1962 and quickly established a successful racetrack practice. He would go on to be a top veterinary surgeon, lead conformation teams for Thoroughbred sales companies, and become a mentor to generations of veterinarians, racetrackers, and breeders. “ ‘Dockie’ was a special person and among the most wonderful human beings I have ever met,” said Geoffrey Russell, the longtime director of sales operations for Keeneland. “He loved the horse and everything to do with the horse, be it racing, sales, breeding, or health. He never met a stranger and always had time for everyone no matter your station. His knowledge was immense, and he was generous in sharing it with anyone who would listen.” Lavin began his career as a racetrack practitioner in Louisville, where his father, Allan, was the racing secretary, while rotating through Hot Springs, Ark., during the Oaklawn Park meeting. After mornings at the track, Lavin would visit clients in the surrounding countryside, establishing strong relationships with titans in the breeding industry, including Warner L. Jones, John Ed Anthony, and Peter Willmott. Lavin’s ability to connect to those in the Thoroughbred industry was wide-ranging, from the racetrack to the sales arena to the farm. “Doc Lavin was a mentor to me,” said Dell Hancock, whose family owns Claiborne Farm. “Anything I have ever done for the horse was inspired by him.” Trainers were also inspired. “Doc Lavin did as much to further my career as anyone as I was getting started in Louisville,” said Hall of Fame trainer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey, who has trained horses for the Phipps family for decades. “He and his family were friends as well as supporters, and I will never forget how important that relationship was.” “Every so often someone comes along who touches so many who live, both professionally and personally,” said Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. “Doc Lavin was one of those. He was always there, with advice, or just friendship.” During his career, Lavin served as the president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. He was elected to The Jockey Club in 1994, and also served on its Board of Stewards. The AAEP has named an award for him, the Lavin Cup for Equine Welfare. Lavin was instrumental in the creation of the AAEP’s On Call program, which was established to provide a veterinarian to television broadcasts in the event of an injury. He also was a longtime board member and former vice chairman of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and provided critical guidance on what research areas the organization would fund. With his longtime wife, Betsy, whom he had known since high school, Lavin owned Longfield Farm, a full-service breeding and boarding operation in Goshen, just outside of Louisville. Prairie Bayou, the 1993 Preakness winner bred by Anthony who was raised on the farm, is buried there. Lavin’s children underscore the many roles their father played in the industry. One son, Allan, runs Lavin Bloodstock. Another, Kevin, owns Lavin Insurance, specializing in equine policies. Betsy Lavin, his wife, served on the Kentucky Racing Commission. Lavin is survived by his wife, his sons, and six granddaughters. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.