Keeneland trustee William T. “Buddy” Bishop III, whose lifelong service to the track also included positions as director, secretary, and counsel, died Thursday at his home. He was 64.
“Keeneland and the entire Thoroughbred community have lost a true friend, a tireless advocate for the industry and valued counsel,” said Keeneland president and CEO Nick Nicholson. “His entire life literally was intertwined with Keeneland. He grew up in an apartment next to the clubhouse, the son of Keeneland’s first general manager (W.T. Bishop), played on the grounds, and worked on the maintenance crew. Then, through the years, he rose to be lead counsel, secretary, director, and trustee for Keeneland. The entire Keeneland family feels a deep loss.”
“Buddy Bishop’s careful, measured, loyal voice of reason will be a cherished legacy of Keeneland for years to come,” said former Keeneland chairman and president James E. (Ted) Bassett. “Keeneland was a focal point of his entire life from his early youth to his years as the wise counselor to the industry, earning the respect, admiration, and appreciation from the entire racing world.”
Bishop was an attorney with Stoll Keenon Ogden, where he specialized in equine law, and served as counsel for Keeneland Association as well as a number of prominent Thoroughbred farms and businesses.
He was a longtime member of the Keeneland board of directors, and served as secretary. In 2005, he was appointed a Keeneland trustee.
Bishop was elected to The Jockey Club in 2006, and also served as a past president of the Thoroughbred Club of America.
