Report: Longtime breeder, owner Alex Campbell Jr. dies at 95

Alex Campbell Jr., whose long career in breeding and ownership was highlighted by his mare Karlovy Vary, died Tuesday in Delray Beach, Fla., his family friends and associates told BloodHorse. He was 95.

Campbell was a native of Lexington, Ky., who saw Karlovy Vary, a daughter of Dynaformer, win the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes in 2012 at Keeneland. That was the pinnacle of a career that began in the ’60s.

His homebreds Queens Court Queen and Mr Purple were big successes in the mid ’90s. Queens Court Queen won the 1995 Santa Maria Handicap (G1), and Mr Purple finished first in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

According to a 2020 story in BloodHorse, Campbell was a quiet philanthropist who had invested in Kentucky banks and hospitals. He was credited with having a role in the creation of four city parks in downtown Lexington in addition to countless other projects to benefit his community. He also served on the board of Transylvania University, and he counted Ted Bassett, the eventual president of Keeneland, among his childhood friends.