Andrew Carter THORNTON

THORNTON Andrew Carter, born Dec 2, 1917, passed away with his family by his side Sun, April 18, 2010 at Bourbon Heights Nursing Home in Paris, KY after a long illness of Alzheimer's Disease. Mr. Thornton was born in Plainfield, NJ and lived most of his life in Paris, KY. He married his wife of 53 years, Margaret (Peggy) Cummins in 1940. After serving in the Army in World War II, he came back to Winchester, KY where he was the youngest farm manager in Kentucky at age 20 at Fairholme Farm. There he raised and sold the Kentucky Derby winners Hoop Jr. and Gallahadion. In 1946 Mr. Thornton and his wife moved to their farm Threave Main Stud in Paris, KY where they raised three children and over 100 stakes horses. He bred, raised, owned and trained the good stakes winners Little Tudor, Plumb Grey, Prim Lady along with many others throughout his forty years of training all over the east coast. He also sold Kentucky Derby winner Cannonero II as a weanling. Mr. Thornton served as President of the KY Farm Managers Club in 1962, President of The Thoroughbred Club of America in 1963-1964 and President of the HBPA from 1970 through 1973. He was an advocate of helping the workers on the backside and was one of the first trainers to work women on the racetrack. He was known for his honesty, integrity and hard working ethics and also received the K.T.O.B. Hard Boot Breeders Award in 2006. Mr. Thornton was one of the original members of the Keeneland Club, The Iroquois Hunt Club and the Polo Club. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends but they know he has gone to a better place to be with his wife, parents, Charles Henry and Eleanor Carter Thornton, son and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Thornton, and his son, Drew Thornton. He is survived by his son, Timothy C. Thornton (Betty) and daughter, Meg T. Buckley (Mike), his four grandchildren, Eric Thornton Buckley, Dr. Jessica Frances Thornton, D.V.M., Sara Margaret Thornton and Katherine Elizabeth Thornton and several nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 11am Thu, April 22 at the Paris Cemetery. Donations are suggested to the KY Racetrack Chaplaincy, PO Box 324, Simpsonville, KY 40067, Bourbon Heights Nursing Home/Activity Fund, 2000 S. Main, Paris, KY 40361, or a charity of your choice. Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Main St. is making the arrangements.