Keeneland president releases autobiography: Co-author said life of Bassett is the definition of success

By Tricia Telles

When James E. “Ted” Bassett III asked his friend and two-time Eclipse Award winning journalist Bill Mooney to write his obituary, Mooney could not pinpoint one event to describe Bassett’s life because, according to the forward fo the book, “he has been successful in just about every area to which he has turned his hand and considerable charm.”

On July 5, 2005, Bassett and Mooney started compiling every bit of information in order to complete an autobiography lacing humor with history. After 3 1/2 years, “Keeneland’s Ted Bassett: My Life” was published by The University Press of Kentucky. The autobiography consists of a 10,600-word index because Bassett and co-author Mooney want the book to be able to serve as a historical source.Bassett witnessed and participated in history that was sometimes statewide and sometimes global, in scope. In the past 75 years, Bassett has been recognized as a Marine Corps veteran; and has been president, chairman and trustee of Keeneland.

Bassett’s involvement with Keeneland began in 1968 and he was the president of Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup during their biggest periods of growth.

Although the bulk of the autobiography focuses on the dedicated love that Bassett has for Keeneland, he describes his days spent at Kent School and Yale University, as well as the three-plus years he spent as the director of the Kentucky State Police during the 1960s, an era of labor strife.

Mooney said his favorite chapter in the autobiography is the state police chapter.

“This is the longest chapter,” he said. “Most people know Ted Bassett affiliated with Keeneland, but I interviewed two state troopers who had worked under Bassett, and to this day his identification is still ‘Colonel Ted Bassett.’ “

Bassett has also had close ties and associations with Queen Elizabeth II, J. Edgar Hoover and many other historical figures.

“(Bassett) has led one of the most fascinating lives of everyone in this area,” said Mack McCormick, publicity manager for The University Press of Kentucky. “If you are interested in horses, there are very few people who know as much as he does. He has been so connected with the Bluegrass region of Kentucky.”

Mooney said he was unable to write an obituary on a man of many successes, but could capture them in the 426-page autobiography.

“The definition of success is someone happy and satisfied with their life,” Mooney said.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. there will be a book signing for “Keeneland’s Ted Bassett: My Life” at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.