Horse breeder, former Kentucky governor Brereton Jones dies

Brereton Jones, the former governor of Kentucky whose Thoroughbred legacy will live on through his family’s breeding farm in the heart of horse country, died Monday at age 84.

“I was sad to learn that former governor and (lieutenant governor) Brereton Jones has passed away,” current Kentucky governor Andy Beshear posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Governor Jones was a dedicated leader and a distinguished Thoroughbred owner who worked to strengthen Kentucky for our families.”

Jones and his wife Libby were married in 1970 and bought their Kentucky farm in Midway, Ky., in 1972. Airdrie Stud has grown to cover nearly four square miles and is run now by the couple’s son Bret Jones.

“We’re proud of the quality of our horses and facilities and of our up-to-date technology in all areas,” the Joneses wrote on the farm’s website. “However, the real secret to our success in international racing and breeding is rooted in the experience, resourcefulness and talent of our dedicated staff.”

Under Jones, Airdrie’s homebreds won three runnings of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks with Proud Spell in 2008, Believe You Can in 2012 and Lovely Maria in 2015. No Such Word, another filly bred at Airdrie, finished her racing career in 2010 by winning the Gazelle (G1) at Aqueduct.

Before he was elected to serve his one term as Kentucky governor from 1991 to 1995, Jones was a founding member, treasurer and director in the early days of the Breeders’ Cup in the 1980s. He would serve again on the organization’s board from 1996 to 2005.

“Governor Jones’s passion for Thoroughbred racing and breeding was second to none,” Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Drew Fleming said in a written statement Monday. “Not only did he position Breeders’ Cup for long-term success as a founding member, but as governor of Kentucky he tirelessly promoted the Thoroughbred industry while simultaneously building a legacy that will live on through Airdrie Stud. We are forever grateful for his contributions to our sport and send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

Messages of praise for Jones came in from around the racing industry Monday.

“Brereton Jones was widely respected for his leadership and integrity, serving the Thoroughbred industry as a statesman and visionary and the commonwealth of Kentucky as governor and lieutenant governor,” Keeneland president Shannon Arvin said. “His passion for horses and the land knew no bounds and culminated in his beloved Airdrie Stud, which for more than 50 years has been one of the world’s foremost breeding operations. He believed in racing and worked tirelessly to improve our sport as a founding member of Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Equine Education Project, a member of The Jockey Club and by championing formation of the Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund. At Keeneland, we will remember governor Jones fondly as a breeder, owner, consignor and buyer of the highest caliber, and for being a valued member of our advisory board. We will celebrate his life and contributions and the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.”

“Governor Brereton Jones was a true champion for Kentucky’s horse industry,” KEEP chairman Case Clay said. “His legacy will forever be felt in our organization and throughout the entire equine community. We are deeply saddened by his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.”

“Brereton Jones was a true champion for the horse-racing industry at all levels for decades,” Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association president Rick Hiles said in a statement. “Yes, he was an owner and breeder himself, but he also understood how vital the breeding and racing industries are for the economy and tourism throughout the state and not just Central Kentucky and Louisville. Governor Jones served the state of Kentucky well. He was a great horseman, was great for the industry and bred and raced a lot of great horses. ... He was just so friendly and respectful of everyone at the racetrack whether they ran the track or mucked out stalls. He will be sorely missed.”

A native of Gallipolis, Ohio who grew up in nearby Point Pleasant, W.Va., before attending the University of Virginia, Jones was a football player who hoped to become a minister before an early career in real estate, construction and raising horses took him back to West Virginia.

Jones, who became a Democrat, actually began his political career at 24 as a Republican in the West Virginia legislature. The horse business lured him and his new wife to her native Kentucky.

As an avowed champion of government ethics, Jones left the Republican party in the wake of the Watergate scandal and in 1975 became a registered Democrat who was a fierce advocate for affordable health care. He was elected lieutenant governor and served in that role from 1987 until he was voted in as governor in 1991.

“He was a staunch advocate for improving healthcare access for all citizens,” Kentucky House Democrats Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts said. “He embraced ethics reforms for government, he was a vocal supporter of our signature horse industry and state parks, and he helped clear the way for future constitutional officers to serve two consecutive terms. There is no doubt Kentuckians are much better off because of governor Jones’s public service.”

While in state office Jones survived a helicopter crash and a fall from a horse. Instead, his political career was limited by the state constitution, which at the time did not let the governor run for re-election. After 1995, Jones retired to focus on the horse industry.

“Brereton was a good friend and a fine man,” said Kentucky House speaker David Osborne, a Republican. “He cared deeply about the people of our commonwealth, and his commitment to Kentucky remained a common thread in every aspect of his life, whether it be political, civic, business or personal. One of the great hallmarks of his character was that he simply did not care who got the credit as long as the goal was accomplished. As governor as well as in the three decades since leaving office, he found a way to balance progress with knowing what must be preserved. We saw it in the issues he tackled in office as well as in his work to bring the equine industry together.”

Jones is survived by wife Libby, son Bret and daughter Lucy.