Kentucky

As the son of Keeneland's general manager, William T. "Buddy" Bishop III spent his childhood playing hide-and-seek in the grandstand and riding ponies over its hallowed track. He lived in a part of what is now the clubhouse, and romped under the sycamore in the grassy paddock.

Few people have such a childhood and even fewer can go back home again, as Mr. Bishop did, in one of the most coveted roles in thoroughbred racing. Mr. Bishop topped a distinguished career as an equine law specialist with his appointment as one of three trustees of the Keeneland Association Inc., the trust that governs the venerable track and sales company.

Mr. Bishop, 64, died Thursday, the day before the opening of the racetrack's spring meet. After battling cancer for almost three years, he died of a stroke.