James A. Philpott, Jr., one of the original founding directors of Breeders' Cup Limited, died Monday. He was 77.
Philpott served as the volunteer corporate secretary of the Breeders' Cup for 30 years.
In a statement, the organization said, “It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of Jim Philpott. Mr. Philpott served the Breeders' Cup with great honor, distinction and with extraordinary business acumen for the first 25 years of the company's existence. He was one of 20 original 'members' who contributed initial funding to form the company. As such, he stayed active as a Member/Trustee his whole life. Mr. Philpott served as the corporate secretary from 1993 until 2009, maintaining the bylaws and minutes of the Board and Committee meetings. Prior to that, he served as the assistant corporate secretary to Charles Taylor. We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Philpott's family and loved ones.”
A graduate of Washington & Lee School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of its law review and graduated summa cum laude, Philpott began his career as Clerk of Court for the Fourth Circuit in Asheville, North Carolina, before practicing law in New York City. Throughout his education, he also served as a captain in the US Army.
Philpott's involvement with the Thoroughbred industry began in 1978 when he assisted the Kentucky Secretary of Agriculture in developing the original Code of Practice for contagious equine metritus. He moved to Kentucky in 1980 to become Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Gainesway Farm. He also served as Vice President and General Counsel of Live Foal Co. from 1986 to 1990.
He worked in private practice in Lexington for many years before joining the law firm of Stoll Keenon Ogden in 2008. He was elected president of the American College of Equine Attorneys in 2016.
Philpott served as Vice President of the Washington & Lee School of Law Alumni Council for several years, as well as on the board of The Lexington Philharmonic and The Lexington School.
He is survived by his children; John Harman Philpott and his wife, Mary Laura; Cameron Philpott Chason and her husband, Jeremy; and James Hundley Philpott and his wife, Emily, as well as his grandchildren: William Cameron Philpott, Mary Genevieve Philpott, Claire Brooks Chason, Charlotte Hundley Chason, Shelby Harman Chason, Marilyn Russell Philpott, and James Hunter Philpott. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Philpott King. He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Mauze Philpott.
The Philpott family will hold a private service. Memorials to a charity of one's choice are preferred in lieu of flowers.
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