Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C. Jones, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder, and a spokesman for the state’s horse industry, has been named as the recipient of this year's Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award, which is presented annually by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners.
Jones will receive the award Nov. 15 during the KTO’s 20th annual dinner at the Kentucky Derby Museum Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.
Since 1989, the KTO has presented the award to a member of the racing industry who displays the spirit and passion for the sport exhibited by the late Warner L. Jones Jr., the famed Kentucky Thoroughbred breeder and owner and chairman of the board of Churchill Downs for whom the award is named.
Jones, a native of Point Pleasant, W. Va. and his wife, Libby, established Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky. in 1972. The farm is now home to some 200 broodmares and 15 stallions. More than 130 stakes winners have been bred, either alone or in partnership, by Airdrie Stud.
Among the most notable are Proud Spell, winner of this year’s Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Alabama Stakes (gr. I); and Caressing, winner of the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) en route to being named that year’s champion 2-year-old filly.
Jones served as a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1965-1969 and became politically active as a Democrat in Kentucky. He served as governor of the Commonwealth from 1991-95 and lieutenant governor from 1987-91.
Jones has continued his leadership role in the horse industry as a founding member and chairman of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, an organization launched in 2004 to promote the state’s signature industry.
For their 20th annual awards dinner, the KTO has invited all prior winners of the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award to join in honoring Brereton Jones.