It is with the most sincere regrets that Gainesway reports the death of
longtime Stallion Manager Marion Gross, who passed away on February 23,
following a brief illness.
An institution in his own right,
Marion worked at Gainesway for 46 years, and served as Stallion Manager
for 41 years. As noted by Gainesway President Antony Beck, “It is safe
to say that very few working in the horse industry today have not been
affected in some way by the career and work of Marion Gross.”
Marion
first joined the Gainesway forces when the farm was in its original
location on Versailles Road, adjacent to Keeneland. At a party
commemorating Marion’s 40th year at the farm, in 2003, Gainesway
founder John Gaines recalled how he met Marion: “Showed up at our front
door on Versailles Road looking for a job.” Gaines took a chance on
“the kid from the mountains,” and he recalled it as one of the best
business decisions he ever made. Marion became the Stallion Manager in
1968.
Gainesway stood only four stallions when Marion arrived in
1963, and he oversaw the expansion of the stallion ranks to a roster of
50 horses in the early 1980s.
Marion’s knowledge of his
stallions, and their owners, was encyclopedic, with him clearly
recalling the smallest detail of all his charges. *Vaguely Noble may
have been his sentimental favorite, but Lyphard, Mt. Livermore, and
Cozzene also merited special mention as he recounted the stallion
careers in which he took the most pride.
Whether he was
coordinating the activities of a few stallions, or dozens, Marion’s
influence over the stud barn was all-encompassing and unfailing. He
directed thousands of matings in his extraordinary career, and
consistently exhibited a calm mastery of the horses, for which he will
be long remembered.
Visitation for Marion is Thursday,
February 26, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on
Harrodsburg Road in Lexington. Funeral services are scheduled for 12:30
PM on Friday, February 27 at Kerr Brothers. Donations may be made to
the charity of one’s choice.