Services announced for Phil McCarthy

Phil McCarthy, manager of Walnut Hall Farm before the farm was split in the early 1990s, has died in Lexington, KY after battling cancer. McCarthy was a veterinarian who was highly regarded in both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred horse communities in Lexington.

 

In 1977, Dr. McCarthy graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph Ontario. In 1978 he did his residency at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center where he specialized in large animal reproductive studies. In 1979 he joined Walnut Hall Farm, where he was resident veterinarian and ultimately the farm manager.

 

“Phil McCarthy was a pioneer in many different areas of the horse business; from fetal sexing of mares to diagnosing and treating stallion infertility.  Phil was always on the cutting edge,” said equine surgeon Dr. James T. Robertson.

 

During the last 16 years Dr. McCarthy focused on reproductive consultation for leading stallion farms around the world while developing Watercress Farm with longtime friend and partner Fred Hertrich into one of the leading commercial breeding farms in North America.

 

“Phil possessed a rare set of talents in the horse industry," said Hertrich, who also operates Allamerican Harnessbreds. "He was a true horseman first and foremost, he knew conformation and pedigree better than most, and he happened to be a world-class veterinarian on top of all those other things.”

 

In partnership, McCarthy and Hertrich bred European Thoroughbred champion Shamardal and graded stakes winners  Street Boss, Even the Score, Sir Greeley, Half Ours, La Chunga, Snow Dance and Got the Last Laugh.

 

Harness Racing Hall of Famer Louis Guida, who boarded mares at Walnut Hall during Dr. McCarthy's tenure there, said he was "a model husband, a model father, a model friend and a model partner.  He will be greatly missed by many in the racing world.”

 

Dr. McCarthy is survived by his wife Penny and their daughter Katie as well as a brother, John, a sister, Jane and family in Canada.

 

Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 6, from 6-9 pm at Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 am at Cathedral of Christ the King with a reception following. Milward’s of Lexington will handle funeral arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be sent to: Markey Cancer Foundation for Melanoma Research, Cathedral of Christ the King, Sayre School, and Hospice of the Bluegrass.