Birth Dates of Notable Kentuckians: November 22, 1928 – John Ryan Gaines

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 From The Kentucky Encyclopedia –
John Ryan Gaines, horseman, philanthropist, and art collector, was born in Sherburne, New York, on November 22, 1928, to Clarence F. and Amelia (Ryan) Gaines. He received a B.a. degree in English from Notre Dame University in 1951; he pursued graduate studies in genetics at the University of Kentucky in 1953. Gaines served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force between 1954 and 1957, attached to the joint chiefs of staff in the Pentagon.

In 1962 Gaines established the Gainesway Farm Thoroughbred Division, which soon became the largest stallion farm in the world. Six Gainesway stallions have led the General Sire List in North America or Europe. With his keen interest in horse racing, Gaines originated the project that became the Kentucky Horse Park in 1974. In 1984 he created the Breeders' Cup racing championship day, a multimillion-dollar annual event that attracts world competition.

Gaines has served on the boards of many institutions of art and education, including the trustees of the National Gallery of Art, the advisers of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the directors of the Fogg Museum of Art, and the trustees of the University of Kentucky . He assembled a noted personal collection of drawings, ranging from the work of Leonardo to that of Picasso, which was auctioned in 1986. Gaines founded the Gaines Center for Humanities at the University of Kentucky in 1984.

Gaines married Joan Benziger in 1959; they have two children: Gloria Ryan and Thomas Bayley.

RAYMOND F. BETTS, Entry Author

Selected Sources from UK Libraries:

Gaines, John R. A Horse of a Different Color : A Common Sense Approach to Preserving Bluegrass Horse Farms. S.l. : S.n., 1990. Print.
HD9434 .G35, Special Collections Research Center

Gaines, John R., and King Library Press. Education Is for Man. Lexington, KY: King Library, 1989. Print.
LB41 .G350 1989, Special Collections Research Center - Rare Books

Sotheby's. The John R. Gaines Collection : Auction, Monday, November 17, 1986 at 7 Pm. New York, NY (1334 York Ave. at 72nd St., New York 10021): Sotheby's, 1986. Print. Sotheby's (Firm). Catalogues of Sales ; 1986 Nov. 17.
NC31.G35 J6 1986, Fine Arts Library