Well-known Canadian native Dr. Phillip McCarthy, 58, of Lexington, Ky., passed away on November 29, 2009, at his home after a lengthy battle with cancer
. Dr. McCarthy was a veterinarian in Lexington and also owned and bred Standardbreds for the past 30 years. He was also heavily involved in Thoroughbred breeding.
Dr. McCarthy was the youngest son of the late Thomas McCarthy and Bonnie Louise Carson and grew up in Marmora, Ont. He attended the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in Ontario, where he earned his degree in 1977. One summer, while in veterinary school he groomed for a small harness racing stable and was entrusted with a pacer predisposed to stopping at the seven-eighths mile pole and worked with the horse until he finished the mile.
In 1978, he did his residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center where he specialized in large animal reproductive studies. In 1979, he went to work for Walnut Hall Farms where he was the resident veterinarian and ultimately the farm manager.
“Phil McCarthy was a pioneer in many different areas of the horse business; from fetal sexing of mares to diagnosing and treating stallion infertility. Phil was always on the cutting edge,” said Dr. James T. Robertson, equine surgeon.
Over the last 16 years, Dr. McCarthy focused on reproductive consultation for leading stallion farms around the world while developing Watercress Farm, with longtime friend and partner Fred Hertrich, into one of the leading commercial breeding farms in North America.
“Phil possessed a rare set of talents in the horse industry. He was a true horseman first and foremost, he knew conformation and pedigree better than most and he happened to be a world class veterinarian on top of all those other things,” said Hertrich.
In partnership, Dr. McCarthy and Hertrich bred European champion Shamardal and Graded Stakes winners Street Boss, Even the Score, Sir Greeley, Half Ours, La Chunga, Snow Dance and Got the Last Laugh.
In addition to working with horses, Dr. McCarthy returned home to Canada to spend time at his cottage on Hay Lake near Algonquin Park in Ontario. He traveled there this past September with his family.
Harness Racing Hall of Fame member Louis Guida described Phil in this way, “He was a model husband, a model father, a model friend and a model partner. He will be greatly missed by many in the racing world.”
He is survived by his wife, Penny; daughter, Katie; brother, John; and sister, Jane.
Visitation and funeral arrangements have taken place. Memorial contributions may be sent to Markey Cancer Foundation for Melanoma Research, Cathedral of Christ the King, Sayre School, and Hospice of the Bluegrass.
Please join SC in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Phillip McCarthy.
(with files from the USTA and Horseman And Fair World)