Runnymede Farm

Owner(s): Catesby W. Clay
Born: 1923, Paris, Ky.
Residence: Runnymede Farm in Paris, Ky.
Family: wife Elizabeth "Biz," eight children and seven grandchildren
Professional Background: Worked in the coal industry before taking over the helm of Runnymede ... Continues to serve on the executive committee of Kentucky River Coal Corp., founded by his stepfather U.S. Senator Johnson N. Camden
Web site: www.runnymedefarmky.com
Breeding/Racing Operation: Clay is the fourth generation to operate Runnymede farm, a 365-acre farm outside of Paris, Ky. ... Founded in 1867, the farm was originally established on family property by Colonel Ezekiel Clay, whose father was a member of the U.S. Congress and a breeder of Thoroughbreds and champion cattle ... It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous Thoroughbred breeding farm in Kentucky, according to the Daughters of the American Revolution ... Ezekiel Clay bred two Kentucky Derby winners Ben Brush (1896 winner in partnership) and Agile (1905) ... While the farm was being leased to Dr. Porter Miller, it produced a third Derby winner, Count Turf (1951) ... The farm has long dedicated itself to raising top-quality runners. Among the numerous stakes winners bred by Runnymede, some in partnership, is Awesome Gem, the winner of the 2009 Hawthorne Gold Cup G2, who will be making his third appearance in the Breeders’ Cup. Bred in partnership with Peter Callahan, Awesome Gem finished third in the 2007 Classic and sixth in the 2008 Mile. Others include Tejano Run, third in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second in the 1995 Kentucky Derby, 1997 Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Wild Gale, Agnes Digital, 2001 champion older horse in Japan, Grade 1 winner Marylebone, Palace Episode, a group 1 winner in England, Illinois Derby winner Greeley's Galaxy, Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Divine Park, Loose Leaf, Smoke Mountain, Karagem, and Meribel ... Martin O'Dowd has been general manager of Runnymede for over 20 years and has been responsible for helping the farm upgrade its broodmare band ... Currently there are close to 30 mares on the farm, of which some are owned in partnership with Callahan.