"Derby Doc" Alex Harthill has died

16 July 2005--Horse racing just became a less interesting sport. Alex Harthill DVM died today in Louisville, Kentucky.

The icon of 20th century racetrack veterinarians was 80 years old.

If the great racehorses of the last 60 or so years had one thing in common, it was that they were probably all treated, at one time or another, by Alex Harthill. From Citation to Northern Dancer and all the way up to Grindstone, he was their vet in Louisville. Outspoken and outgoing, Alex Harthill was one of the first celebrity veterinarians, and always gave a good interview. He was generous with his time and expertise and was always curious about a finding a new way to shoe a horse. I know this because I ran into him in odd places around the world, places where he probably thought no one would know who he was. And then I'd show up and look over his shoulder. He never seemed surprised to see me.

Unfortunately, many people know Alex Harthill's name because of the many racetrack controversies that were associated with him. I'd rather remember him laughing with us all at the Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, or remember him trying to save Ruffian when she broke down in her match race against Foolish Pleasure in 1975. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

We are providing a link to his official obituary on the web sites of the Louisville Courier-Journal and Daily Racing Form. Remember if you click on these links, you are leaving the hoofcare.com site and will need to use your "back" button or arrow on your browser to return to hoofcare.com

Click here to read Alex Harthill's obituary in the Courier-Journal.
Click here to read Alex Harthill's obituary in the Daily Racing Form.

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