Obituary: Prominent thoroughbred breeder Arthur B. Hancock III, owner of Stone Farm, which is adjacent to Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, has died at the age of 83.
He owned and bred Gato Del Sol, who won the Kentucky Derby in 1982. He became even more famous as the owner of 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence. He had been the owner of Sunday Silence's infamous sire, the ill-named Halo, who was anything but an angel.
His brother, Seth, ran Claiborne Farm for many years after their dad, Arthur "Bull" Hancock, Jr, died in 1972. After Seth retired a few years ago, his son took over the reins of that farm.
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As his Racing Hall of Fame bio notes, Hancock certainly had the pedigree to become an influential figure in the game simply by following in the family footsteps, but circumstances dictated he journey down a different path. Hancock's grandfather, Arthur B. Hancock, founded Kentucky's legendary Claiborne Farm, while his father, Arthur B. "Bull" Hancock Jr., expanded the business to where it became arguably the most important breeding farm in the United States during the 20th century, and whose sales and influence also impacted European racing.
After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Hancock moved to the New York City area and worked for a year as an apprentice under future Hall of Fame trainer Edward A. Neloy. He then returned to Claiborne as the assistant broodmare and yearling manager under the tutelage of his father. However, after Bull Hancock's death, Claiborne's leadership wasn't passed to Arthur. Instead, those duties went to his brother, Seth.
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He was also known as a songwriter and musician.
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