Randall Gatlin Brandon, a longtime racetrack veterinarian in the Mid-Atlantic region, died Aug. 15 in his hometown of Camden, S.C. He was 80.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2, at 4:30 p.m. at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Timonium, Md.
Brandon graduated from Washington State University and followed with an internship at Auburn University. After completing his internship, he was a member of the Teigland Vet Group in South Florida, where he attended to Thoroughbred racehorses at tracks in the area. The following year, he moved to Maryland, where he established his own vet practice serving owners and trainers at tracks including Laurel Park, Bowie Race Course, Pimlico Race Course and Delaware Park.
Brandon's equine clientele not only included the bread-and-butter horses but also stakes winners and classic contenders. He was very old-school when it came to giving veterinary advice to his clients as he chose good horsemanship and not unnecessary procedures and medications.
After 30 years on the racetrack, Brandon sold his practice and returned to South Carolina. The focus of his vet practice turned to assisting his clients in their pre-purchase needs at Thoroughbred auctions throughout the country. Though the horse auction schedule kept him busy and on the road for weeks on end, he and his wife, Kirsty May, enjoyed planning matings for their small broodmare operation which awarded them many bonuses from their New York-bred foals. The Brandons' mares would foal in New York, be bred back in Kentucky, and the foals raised to be sales yearlings at their Dixie Farm in Camden.
“Dr. Brandon was an integral and highly-valued member of the St. Elias Stables' team and even more importantly, a dear friend,” said Rory Babich, Chief Executive Officer of St. Elias Stables. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kirsty, his children, grandchildren and other members of his family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by his many friends, family, clients and his devoted pack of dogs.”
Brandon was the son of the late Gatlin Randall and Frances Johns Brandon. He is survived by Kirsty May; daughters Julie Carter (Andrew) and Lisa Boyle, both of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren Katie and Emma Carter; and brothers Dr. Jeff Brandon (Nancy) of Palm Coast, Fla., and Kyle Brandon of El Paso, Texas.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, 261 State Farm Road No. 8200, Rembert, S.C., 29128; or to New Vocations, 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, Ky., 40511.
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