Oaklawn Association Veterinarian Cyphers Dies at 66

Louis Lee Cyphers, Oaklawn's longtime association veterinarian, died Sept. 5 in Hot Springs, Ark., with his wife and children at his bedside following a ruptured brain aneurysm Aug. 3. He was 66.

Born Aug. 22, 1955, in El Dorado, Ark., Cyphers graduated from El Dorado High School in 1973. He then went on to attend Hendrix College finishing with a bachelor's degree in Biology in 1977. Before deciding to attend veterinarian school, he took a few years off to farm tomatoes and soybeans with his dear brother Andy. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1985.

He and his first wife Viki (a fellow classmate) married after graduation and moved to Hot Springs. They opened Cyphers Veterinary Hospital together in 1987 at 111 Temperance Hill Road in Hot Springs,  which they owned and operated until selling the practice in 2011 (now known as Temperance Hill Animal Hospital).

Shortly after moving to Hot Springs, Cyphers began his long tenure with Oaklawn serving as the track veterinarian from 1990 until his passing Aug. 3.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cyphers family," said Oaklawn president Louis Cella. "Dr. Cyphers had been a dedicated member of the Oaklawn team, serving as our association veterinarian for over 30 years. He hardly missed a day of races and was at the gate ensuring the safety of our equine athletes more than 15,000 times during his tenure, rain or shine. No matter if the horse was a claimer or a champion like Zenyatta  or American Pharoah  , Dr. Cyphers gave them the utmost care to ensure they were ready to perform at their best."

"Dr. Cyphers was a trusted friend to the horsemen and a very good veterinarian," Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association president Bill Walmsley added. "His top priority was always the safety and well-being of the horses. He will be missed by everyone."

He loved this job and all of the friends he made there, the best of which was his wife Kristi. They shared a wonderful life together for more than 20 years. He enjoyed all things outdoors, especially camping and bass fishing on Lake DeGray with his family and friends. 

His friends and acquaintances similarly enjoyed his company.

"Dr. Cyphers was liked and respected by everyone," said Arkansas Racing Commission chairman Alex Lieblong. "His long tenure at Oaklawn speaks volumes to his dedication and passion for racing and his desire to protect the well-being of every horse. He was always willing to work cooperatively with the state veterinarians, which the commission always appreciated. He'll be missed." 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peggy and CD Cyphers, and two brothers, Steve and Chuck Cyphers.

Survivors include his wife and best friend Kristi; children, Morgan Lee (Summer) Cyphers, Margaret "Meggy" Beatrice (Joseph) Boone, the mother of his children, Viki Cyphers, and Scotty (Grace) Casteel; grandchildren, Noah and Emmie Casteel; siblings, Kay (Andy) Cyphers Garison, Andy Cyphers, and Dan (Amy) Cyphers, DDS, and extended family and many friends.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.