John Asher, widely considered the face of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby through his roles as the track's vice president of racing communications, passed away Monday morning after suffering a heart attack while on vacation with his family in Florida. The iconic and beloved spokesman was 62 years old.
Asher joined Churchill Downs in January 1997 and had served in his communications role since March 1999.
“To say that racing has lost one of its giants with the passing of John Asher does not begin to capture the impact this man has had and will continue to have on the Churchill Downs family,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “His passion for the Kentucky Derby, horseracing, his WKU Hilltoppers, great music, and above all else his loving family was genuine and infectious. Racing has lost an icon. I, and many others, have lost a kind and generous friend. We will miss John's laugh, his unmistakable voice, and his unique storytelling. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Dee, his daughters Heather, Erin and Emma and his grandsons, Cameron and Caden.”
Asher was born Nov. 22, 1955 in Leitchfield, Kentucky and attended Western Kentucky University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism. That degree propelled him to an award-winning radio career at WHAS-AM and WAVE-AM in Louisville, where he earned five Eclipse Awards for “Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing” and countless other honors.
Within the Thoroughbred industry, Asher received the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year award in 2006; the Charles W. Engelhard Award for excellence in media coverage from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders; the Dean Eagle Award from the Knights of Columbus; and a media award from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
After joining Churchill Downs, Asher became an integral player in handling publicity for the track's events, chiefly the Kentucky Derby. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the history of the event and passion for the ongoing tradition of the race, Asher was widely beloved and respected by his peers. Throughout the day Monday, various racing personalities and farms took to social media to reflect on Asher's contributions to the game. Spendthrift Farm noted that “his death is a huge loss to the racing community,” while Churchill Downs announcer Travis Stone reflected, “Whenever John Asher came around I knew a hearty laugh, a good story or kind words would soon follow. His passion for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby was infectious. Family, horse racing, great music, good food, laughs…what a life he led. Sad day.”
In a Monday statement, Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum, added, “His love of the Kentucky Derby and the Thoroughbred racing industry ran deep, as did his endless knowledge of the sport. His warmth and his energy was contagious and endearing. When you met John you were instantly drawn into his dynamic personality. Once you knew him, he always remembered you and he always had the answer to the question, 'How many days until the next Derby?' He wore his passion for his work, his family and his community on his sleeve.”
Away from the track, Asher was well-known for his generous community service outreach and volunteerism. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Kentuckiana Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, and was honored as the chapter's “Volunteer of the Year” in 2004.
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