Damon Thayer sponsors KY Senate resolution honoring Frank Jones’ life, contributions

Below is the text of Senate Resolution 27, honoring the life, memory and great works of Kentucky HBPA and horse-racing stalwart Frank L. Jones Jr. Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer introduced the resolution, which is expected to be adopted by the Senate when Jones’ widow, Nancy Delony-Jones, can be present. (2019 photo above: Frank and Nancy Jones at Keeneland to watch one of his horses run)

A RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of world-renowned Thoroughbred horse owner, breeder, and pillar of the horse racing industry, Frank L. Jones, Jr.

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was born in 1937 in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Frank L. Jones, Sr. and Ann Epperson Jones; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. attended Western Kentucky University before faithfully serving his country in the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was introduced to the world of horse racing when a friend convinced him to wager a $2 on a horse. His first bet earned him a return of $96 and was the catalyst to him becoming a legend in the horse racing industry; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. purchased his first horse in 1968 for $1,500 and exclusively used Jerry Romans, Sr. and his son, Dale, as trainers; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. became a prominent breeder and owner of Thoroughbred horses who helped shape the horse industry in Kentucky over his decades of leadership. He was the leading owner at the Churchill Downs spring meets in 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1995; and

WHEREAS, the star of his stable was Tapitsfly (Tapit), who won the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2009, as well as the winner of Belmont’s Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes and Keeneland’s First Lady Stakes Jones sold the filly in 2012 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale for $1.85 million to Katsumi Yoshida; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his other roles, Frank L. Jones, Jr. spent more than 30 years serving as the owner’s vice president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) where he was instrumental in negotiating contracts for owners and trainers with racetracks; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. also chaired the HBPA’s finance committee and acted as a legislative liaison; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was appointed to serve as vice chairman of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), where he was first appointed by Governor Paul Patton, reappointed by Governor Steve Beshear in 2008, and then reappointed again in 2020 by Governor Andy Beshear; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. also served as a long-time board member and secretary of the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, which provides health resources and financial assistance to the Commonwealth’s backstretch workers; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. served as president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners in 1998-1999, and was a member of the American Horse Council, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. In October of 2022, he was selected as a member of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Horseman Advisory Group; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was nominated as a candidate for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1989 and 1990. In 2019, he was also honored with the Warner Jones Award, which recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was also an accomplished businessman, founding Recreonics, Inc. in Louisville and growing it into a leader in the commercial aquatic industry; and

WHEREAS, in his personal life, Frank L. Jones, Jr. was an avid enjoyer of sports, especially enjoying volleyball, basketball, and tennis; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. passed away Thursday, August 10th at his home in Louisville. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank L. Jones, Sr. and Ann Epperson Jones; sister, Margie Y. Garland; and first wife, Gloria Goodman Jones. He is survived by wife, Nancy Delony-Jones; brother, Morris Jones; Dale Romans, whom he considered to be his son; nephews, Steve (Becky) Baldwin Michael (Jamie) Garland Tim (Stephanie) Garland, Jonathan Jones; niece, Renee Garland; and all the employees of Recreonics, whom he considered his extended family; and

WHEREAS, Frank L. Jones, Jr. is remembered by his friends and family as not just a giant in the Thoroughbred racing industry but as a thoughtful and knowledgeable man who was always willing to listen and provide guidance to anyone who needed it;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. The Senate hereby extends its most profound sympathy upon the passing of horse racing industry icon Frank L. Jones, Jr. and expresses heartfelt condolences to his family in this time of loss.

Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor of Frank L. Jones, Jr.

Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Dale Romans.