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Derby Winner Breeder Fought for Horse Welfare
26 Sep
Summary
- Arthur Hancock III bred three Kentucky Derby winners.
- He founded an alliance to ban performance-enhancing drugs.
- Hancock also wrote country songs recorded by Willie Nelson.
Arthur B. Hancock III, celebrated for his dual careers in horse racing and country music, died on September 18 at 83. He was a prominent breeder, with his Stone Farm producing three Kentucky Derby winners and over 225 stakes winners.
Beyond the track, Hancock co-founded the Water Hay Oats Alliance, a group advocating for the elimination of performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing. This advocacy contributed to the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in 2020.
Hancock also released several albums of original country music, with his songs notably recorded by Willie Nelson and Ray Price. He is set to be posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
His life journey included overcoming personal struggles with alcohol and navigating complex family dynamics within the horse breeding industry. He is survived by his wife, five daughters, a son, and six grandchildren.
