Agent Burdett-Coutts Dies at Age 86

Martin Burdett-Coutts, who operated Can-Am Bloodstock, died Dec. 15 in Florida at age 86.

A native of Sussex, England, Burdett-Coutts was an agent for Underwriters of Lloyd's of London before embarking on his bloodstock career. Can-Am was initially based in Great Neck, N. Y., and later relocated to Lexington.

Among the top horses selected by Burdett-Coutts were 1984 champion older mare Ambassador of Luck, European champions Wind and Wuthering and Gentilhombre, and Queen's Plate (Can-I) winner Alydeed. In partnership with Jimmy Nelson, Burdett-Coutts campaigned multiple grade I winner Both Ends Burning.

Among the clients represented by Burdett-Coutts were Nelson, Canadian-based Kinghaven Farms, New York owner Barry Schwartz, Japanese-based NAL Trading Corp., Cashcart-Bristow Racing Stable, and Oklahoman Kent Fleming.

Burdett-Coutts is survived by sons Rod, who is involved in the broodmare division at Runnymede Farm, and Francis, and daughters Rowena Beck, a Kentucky-based trainer, and Madeleine Burdett-Coutts.