Bassett Family Association Database

Lucy Gray

Female 1928 - 2016  (87 years)


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  • Name Lucy Gray 
    Born 5 Aug 1928  Lexington, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    _UID F497AD146600FD4F93F705719500011EB224 
    Died 1 May 2016  Woodford County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 

    • The Courier-Journal, May 3, 2016
      Lucy Gay Bassett (Picture included)

      Lucy Gay Bassett, 87, wife of James E. "Ted" Bassett III, passed away on May 1, 2016 at her Home Lanark in Woodford County.

      Born in Lexington on August 5, 1928, she was the daughter of the late A. B. and Elizabeth Simms Gay of Spring Station, KY.

      Besides her husband of 65 years, she is survived by her beloved brother, James G. Gay, M.D., his wife, Anne, and their four children, Elizabeth Gay (George) Freeman and their children, Reid, Will and Woods; Dr. Charlotte Gay (John Clay) Stites and their children, Harrison, Elizabeth and Stewart; James Edward "Ted" (Alyson) Gay and their children, James and Eliza; Anne Gay (Richie) Donworth and their children, Margaret and Lucy.

      Lucy was an honors graduate of The Madeira School, Madeira, VA and Smith College, Northampton, MA, graduating in 1950. She married on Dec. 2, 1950 in Christ Church, Lexington.

      She led a very active and successful life as the owner and breeder of Lanark Farm, breeding over ten stake winners, including three grade ones, and Adoration, the winner of the 2003 Breeder's Cup Distaff with earnings over $2.1 million. She also bred 21 horses who won over $100,000. According to The Blood Horse Magazine, Lanark Farm was the leading consignor of stake winners for the period of 1996-2000 based on the percentage basis of 13% of the 23 offered for sale at the Keeneland September sale.

      Lucy was an avid and competitive golfer, winning the Idle Hour Country Club Championship three times and was a runner up in the Lexington City championship. She had a passion for playing different golf courses around the country, particularly Lower Cascades at The Homestead.

      As a major landowner, she had an intense interest in farmland in Central KY and in 1975 established the real estate firm of Rogers-Bassett, becoming one of the leading farm real estate brokers during the ensuing 20 years.

      She was an inquisitive traveler and a wonderful ambassador for thoroughbred racing, accompanying her husband, the former President of Keeneland and Breeder's Ltd., to numerous countries and racing events across the world.

      A graveside service will take place at the Lexington Cemetery on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 12:30 PM. Visitation will be at Milward-Broadway on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, 5-7 PM.

      Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Assn., Woodford Humane Society or Trixie Foundation.
    Person ID I128  8B John Bassett of Hunterdon County, New Jersey
    Last Modified 3 May 2016 

    Father A.B. "Gus" Gray 
    Mother Elizabeth Simms 
    Family ID F54  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Living 
    Family ID F53  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart