Horse Racing

Terence Collier on the passing of Dr. Billy Marrs


It seems that every tick of the clock marks the passing of another friend and colleague in my life. Today came news of the January 15 passing of Dr Billy (Merritt William) Marrs, who passed away in Indio, California, near his winter home in Palm Springs. Such news usually spreads quickly in our circles, but this vet has spent more time over the past few years at suburban golf courses than backstage or at a horse sale. However, there will be a few tears and many interesting stories to be told among these colorful and lovable Purebreds.

Billy Marrs is a native of Lexington, born in 1946, graduated from the University of Kentucky and went on to earn a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State in 1973. His early mentors left for that wonderful clinic in the sky, but anyone around the Thoroughbreds in central Kentucky from the 1980s on will remember ‘Doc’ Marrs driving his Cadillac, shrouded in a cloud of cigar smoke. A short ride as his passenger and you walk out smelling like Winston Churchill! He steers clear of Suburbans, Tahoes and SUVs and works from the trunk or back seat of his gray DeVille. There was a lot of competition for space in the car and it took a long time to get the old-fashioned X-ray machine under the golf club set. Because he is an independent veterinarian and has no connection to the two or three major veterinary groups in town, I often bring Billy to be the veterinary referee in Fasig-Tipton deals. He always arrived very late or very early and always had to ask if he could borrow a scope from one of the other members of the council.

Billy and I have close mutual friends in Jack G. Jones, Jr. of Mineola Ranch in Lexington and California breeder, Rollin Baugh. Jack is his lawyer, golfer, and client. In the late 1970s, Billy and Jack sought out sales for Mahmoud Fustok, owner of Buckram Oak Ranch. Jack clearly remembers that at Saratoga Yearling Sales, both Danzig and De La Rose were passed by Billy and shortlisted by Fustok, only to be the lower bidders both years in a row. For a few years, Rollin accompanied Billy at Royal Ascot. He would call me a week before the famous British racing festival and the conversation always started jokingly, “Well, Lord Collier, where should I have dinner in London this year?” or “Can I wear brown suede shoes in the Royal Enclosure?”

Without going too deep into Dr. Marrs’ private life, in Lexington, it seems that none of his close family members have survived back home. He was married twice – once, for 13 years, to the very popular and vibrant Eloise, a leading light in local banking circles. Since last October, he has been engaged to equally fascinating Karen Nielsen, to whom I offer my sincerest condolences.

Dr. Marrs left the veterinary world before it left him behind. He is old school. And he never lets a horseback date get in the way of a round of golf. Many of his friends, of whom I am honored, will miss a man who made it his way.

Terence Collier

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This story was posted in News is shared and tagged Dr. Billy (Merritt William) Marrs, Dr. Billy Marrs, horse veterinarian, Letter to the editorial office, obey, obituary, Terence Collier.

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