Internationally regarded as one of the finest equine practitioners of his time, Dr. Reed is perhaps most remembered for his surgery on the ill-fated Ruffian at his veterinary hospital across the street from Belmont Park following her injury during the match race against Foolish Pleasure on July 6, 1975.A native of Wilford Center, Ohio, Reed earned his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1944.
Reed's breakthrough came in 1948 when he diagnosed and treated Stymie's sesamoid fracture in the right forefoot following a fourth-place finish in the Monmouth Handicap.A past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, his other prominent patients included Summer Solstice, Tim Tam, Dr. Fager, Damascus, Hoist the Flag and Conquistador Cielo.
In addition to his equine practice, Reed and his wife, Audrey, who survives him, owned and operated Mare Haven Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. Horses bred by Reed include Known Fact, Goodbye Halo and Gone West.The Reeds sold the farm approximately one month ago.
Visitation will be at the Fairchild Funeral Home at 1201 Franklin Avenue in Garden City on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Garden City.