Thoroughbred owner and breeder Judy Klosterman, who bred and sold the highest-priced Ohio-bred of all time, died at her home Oct. 13 from complications of Parkinson's disease. She was 78.
Klosterman bred Unbridled Time, an Unbridled's Song colt out of her mare Haveaheavenlytime and sold him as a yearling for $1,150,000 at the 1999 Keeneland September sale to Bob and Beverly Lewis. Unbridled Time was trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. He was a multiple stakes winner, graded stakes-placed, an Ohio-bred champion colt, and later went to stud in Florida.
Officially Klosterman became a Thoroughbred owner at the age of 10, when she convinced her father to purchase a broodmare for her at the 1950 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. For a while, however, the Klostermans took a diversion from horses with show collies while they raised their three children. More than just a passing fancy, they bred some 15 champion collie dogs.
It was not until 1987—when she and husband Ken established the 235-acre Langsem Farm in Loveland, Ohio—that Judy got busy with the business of breeding Thoroughbreds. Her royal blue and orange silks were carried to stakes victories by Naughty, the Ohio-bred champion 2-year-old of 1999. Other outstanding horses include stakes winners Intrigued, Crusie, Brushy Fork, Enticed, Heavenliness, and Conjuress.
In addition to her own horses, Klosterman boarded outside mares, raising several stakes winners for clients as well.
Klosterman was well-regarded and held several positions in national organizations, including director of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, for which she also served on the executive committee and as treasurer. She was also vice president and a director of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. Klosterman was named the 1992 Ohio Breeder of the year as well as the 1999 TOBA Midwest Region Breeder of the Year.
Klosterman is survived by Ken Klosterman, her husband of 58 years; children Kimberly Klosterman, Jayme Klosterman (Carl Shapiro), and Kenneth "Chip" Klosterman, Jr.; and grandchildren, Katie, Ellen, and Olivia.
The family-owned Klosterman Baking Company is one of the largest bakeries in the Midwest, and is in its fourth generation of family stewardship under the guidance of Chip and Kimberly Klosterman.
Judy Klosterman was from South Fort Mitchell, Ky., and attended Beechwood High School and the University of Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Judy Klosterman to Old Friends Farm.