Deep in the quiet peace of early morning on September 29, Catesby Woodford Clay drew his last breath at his Runnymede Farm house near Paris, Kentucky, completing just over 101 years and two months from the moment he was born there.

A portrait of his mother, Agnes, smiled down on him from the wall as his prayers to pass away at home were fulfilled even as the storied era of his life, entwined in Kentucky history and Thoroughbred horse racing and breeding, reached its conclusion.

Although Runnymede continues to be operated by the fourth generation of Catesby Clay’s family, there can be no true replacement for the man with the magnetically charming charisma who left the imprint of his character upon horse racing, the coal industry, and numerous charitable organizations, especially the many connected to his unyielding Catholic faith.

Known by friends for his mischievous levity spiked by bursts of laughter and his penchant for boldly-colored clothes, Clay was nonetheless a fierce competitor across the croquet lawn, tennis court, and backgammon board, as well as with his horses in racing.

He was an effervescent dancer at Bluegrass parties, including lively soirees at Runnymede. He and his wife, Elizabeth “Biz” Gerwin Clay, were widely known for their gracious hospitality, and they were always ready with a warm embrace at Runnymede for friends and guests, particularly those who didn’t have anywhere to go on holidays.

Catesby Clay made the most of each of his many years while lighting up the lives of so many around him, whether through work, family, church or horses.

Recognized by the United States Congress in 2023 when he celebrated his 100^th birthday, Clay served Kentucky River Coal Corp. and its successor, Kentucky River Properties, for over 73 years in many roles, including president and chairman of the board. His great strength in leading the company was his integrity, followed closely by his willingness to listen to and his warm-natured people skills. His personality and sense of humor, underpinned by a shrewd business sense, won over many tough characters in the coal and horse racing businesses.

Above all, faith was his priority, and that faith encircled his work, family, and the farm while also guiding his devoted efforts to help people. He championed corporate charitable efforts that resulted in millions of dollars in contributions and scholarships for Kentucky colleges and public school systems, in addition to the establishment of an endowment fund for nursing scholarships and funding for drug addiction treatment.

Clay generously supported Catholic missions from Kentucky to Africa and Asia, and his profound commitments shone as a life lessons to his eight children. One son, Catesby “Chris” Clay Jr., followed his father’s spiritual path and became an ordained priest in the Diocese of Lexington; he currently serves as pastor of St. Leo Catholic Church in Versailles, Kentucky.

Joining Catesby Clay through each step of his adult life was his wife and the love of his life. They married on December 30, 1959, after he convinced her to reconsider her thoughts of joining a convent. Their greatest pleasures revolved around spending Sundays with their children and grandchildren, attending Mass in the mornings and playing games at the house and visiting foals on the farm in the afternoons.

Following his forebears, part of Catesby Clay’s heart belonged to horse racing and breeding. He lifted Runnymede – recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as Kentucky’s oldest continually operated Thoroughbred nursery following its founding by Clay’s grandfather, Civil War Col. Ezekiel Clay, in 1867 – to international prominence over seven decades, beginning in the 1950s.

Now overseen by Clay’s son, Brutus J. Clay III, Runnymede is the birthplace of four Kentucky Derby winners and three Belmont Stakes winners. Four members of the Racing Museum and Hall of Fame also grew strong on its tranquil rolling pastures near Stoner Creek. 

Catesby Clay and Runnymede bred and raised, either solely or with partners, the likes of champion turf mare Lady Eli and her sire, Metropolitan Handicap winner Divine Park; Kentucky Oaks winner Lady Vi-E; Grade 1 winner and sire Collected; Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Undrafted; Japanese champion and $8 million earner Agnes Digital; English Group 1 winner and sire Palace Episode; Grade 1 winner and $2.8 million earner Awesome Gem, and Angle Light, who famously upset Secretariat in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes.

Beyond forging his global reputation for raising elite runners, Clay served as a member of the Kentucky Racing Commission and as a 45-year stalwart on the board of directors of Churchill Downs. He was feted as the 2009 Honor Guest by the Thoroughbred Club of America and received the 2011 Hardboot Breeders Award from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.

The youngest of six children born to his parents, Agnes McEvoy Clay and Brutus Junius Clay, Catesby Woodford Clay was baptized at the Church of the Annunciation in Paris, Kentucky, on August 15, 1923, and he went on to attend Mass there for most of the rest of his life. For about a decade, he taught Sunday school lessons to Annunciation high school students.

As a young man, Clay graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Clay is preceded in death by his mother, Agnes McEvoy Clay, father, Brutus J Clay, step-father, Sen. Johnson N. Camden, brother, Br. Brutus J. Clay, S.J. and sisters: Agnes Clay Pringle, Amelia Clay McCarthy, Anne Clay Kenan and Sr. Mary Clay, RSCJ.  Clay is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Clay, and his children, Joseph (Brittain); Mary Elizabeth (the late David Blee); Camden; Brutus (Sarah), Fr. Chris; James; Kitty (Michael Taylor), and Amelia, as well as his 15 grandchildren: Lucile Clay, Brutus Clay V, Cooper Blee, Catesby Clay III, Cassius Clay, Elizabeth Blee, Caroline Anne Clay, Augustus Blee, Johnson Camden Clay, Camille Clay, Eliza Clay, Isabella Clay, Wilfred Taylor, Henrietta Clay and Georgiana Clay.

Visitation will be held on October 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7 at Runnymede House, 616 Cynthiana Road in Paris, Kentucky. A funeral Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. on October 4 at the Church of the Annunciation with interment following at Paris Cemetery and a reception at Runnymede House.

 In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to be made in his honor to:

The Catholic Diocese of Lexington Seminary Challenge (https://pushpay.com/g/catholicdioceseoflexington),

Catholic Educational Opportunities Foundation Equine Fund (https://www.ceoflex.org),

The Hope Center, Lexington, KY https://hopectr.org/donate/.