Robert “Colonel” Estill Courtney, Jr., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, June 26. He was 74 years old.Courtney was born on December 20, 1951 in Lexington, Kentucky to George Minister VanMeter and Pauline Rogers Mahoney and was raised by Robert Estill Courtney, Sr. and Evelyn Thompson Courtney. Courtney attended Sayre School, Bryan Station High School, and Morehead State University before serving two years in the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany and Greece before being honorably discharged in 1973. Upon completion of his military service, Mr. Courtney studied agriculture at the University of Kentucky and began working for his family's Crestfield Farm in 1977.In 1987, he purchased Stonebridge Farm where he foaled and raised many notable horses including his own multiple graded stakes winning and three-time Arlington Handicap winner Rahystrada, champion two-year-old filly of 1990 Meadow Star, and 2003 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Action This Day. He never met a stranger and was known for his larger-than-life personality and colorful storytelling.Mr. Courtney was active in his community and served as President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club, trustee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, director of the Thoroughbred Club of America, and trustee of Sayre School. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 45 years, Brenda Murray Courtney. He is survived by his daughter, Caitlin Murray Courtney; his brother and best friend, Thomas Field VanMeter II; along with his children William Browning VanMeter (Kristin); George Headley VanMeter (Leonie); Chenault VanMeter Tuck (Michael); who have all been unwavering in their love and care for Uncle Colonel; Thomas Field VanMeter III; and Griffin Buckner VanMeter (Sarah).Courtney is also survived by his siblings George Minister VanMeter, Jr., Laurance B. VanMeter (Lucy), Carlisle VanMeter Mayer (Mark), Angelia Van Vranken (Darin), William J. Mahoney, Barry J. Mahoney, and Ernest Thompson Courtney (Kathy) along with their children Virginia Clark Courtney (Hamilton) and Brooks Uppington Courtney (Emory), and many other nieces and nephews.A celebration of life will be held at a later date and he will be buried alongside his wife at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stable Recovery.The post Robert Courtney Jr. Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.