Dr. Lee Cyphers, Oaklawn's longtime Association Veterinarian, passed away at age 66 Sunday, Sept. 5 following complications from a brain aneurysm. He was a fixture at the Oaklawn starting gate and in the paddock spanning three decades. He was a local Hot Springs veterinarian with a highly successful small animal clinic.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Steve and Chuck Cyphers.
Survivors include his wife and best friend Kristi; children, Morgan Lee (Summer) Cyphers, Margaret “Meggy” Beatrice (Joseph) Boone, the mother of his children, Viki Cyphers, and Scotty (Grace) Casteel; grandchildren, Noah and Emmie Casteel; siblings, Kay (Andy) Cyphers Garison, Andy Cyphers, and Dan (Amy) Cyphers, DDS, and extended family and many friends.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cyphers family. Dr. Cyphers had been a dedicated member of the Oaklawn team, serving as our Association Veterinarian for over 30 years,” Oaklawn President Louis A. Cella. “He hardly missed a day of races and was at the gate ensuring the safety of our equine athletes more than 15,000 times during his tenure, rain or shine. No matter if the horse was a claimer or a champion like Zenyatta or American Pharoah, Dr. Cyphers gave them the utmost care to ensure they were ready to perform at their best.”
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