Former Churchill Downs CEO Albert Lynn Stone Dies at 95

Albert Lynn Stone, 95, died Feb. 22, 2021, at Baptist Health Lexington after a brief hospitalization. Born Oct. 18, 1925, in New Orleans, La., he was the son of the late Albert H. and Julia McHugh Stone. Lynn grew up in Long Beach, Calif., where he was an all city baseball, football, and track athlete. He then served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII, where he spent three years, including time in the South Pacific. After his service to his country, he pursued a career in professional baseball signing with the New York Yankees and playing several years with other minor league teams. Due in part to a playing injury, his career path next moved him into professional baseball management with the then Boston, and later Milwaukee-based, Braves organization. In 1958, he led the move of the Braves triple-A team to Louisville, serving as general manager of the Louisville Colonels. In 1961, his career transitioned to horse racing when he joined Churchill Downs as resident manager. After several years in executive management positions at the track, he was named president and CEO of Churchill Downs Inc. in 1970 and served in that position until 1984. In the early 70s, he jointly served several years as president of both Churchill Downs and Hialeah Park Race Course in Florida. During his tenure at Churchill Downs he also served two terms as president of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of North America. Following his retirement, he moved to South Florida where he continued to serve as a consultant to Churchill Downs along with other racing and sports organizations. Throughout his professional career and during retirement he led and served on numerous professional and civic boards, including the American Horse Council, Jockey Club Round Table, and Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Survivors include his wife, Jane Stokes Stone; three sons, Michael Stone (Katharine Friel) of Versailles, Patrick (Nora) Stone of Lawrenceburg, and Steve (Leslie) Stone of Nicholasville; two stepchildren, Charles (Christine) Halloran of Washington, D.C., and Ann Tarter Halloran of Lexington; and, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

A public visitation will be held 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28 at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Harrodsburg Road, Lexington. Private funeral services will be at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Harrodsburg Road with private burial to follow in Camp Nelson National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to: American Legion Man O' War Post #8, 1230 Man O' War Place, Lexington, KY 40504, or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter - Kaden Tower, 6100 Dutchmans Lane, Ste 401, Louisville, KY 40205-3284.