Horse industry honors bestowed upon Asher include the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners' Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year award in 2006; the Charles W. Engelhard Award for excellence in media coverage from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders; the Dean Eagle Award from the Knights of Columbus; and a media award from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. This story was posted in Shared News, Today's Edition, Top News, Top News Europe. Plans for a memorial service that could occur as early as next week will be finalized in the coming days, according to his wife Dee Asher. Photo by Chris Humphreys. Louisville legend John Asher laid to rest. Copyright Blenheim Publishing LLC. The iconic and beloved spokesman was 62 years old. Derby.” In his two decades as Vice President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs, Asher became synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. Not a subscriber? John Asher, vice president of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs, will be the featured guest on the next edition of Talkin' Horses, scheduled for taping on Wednesday, June 24. Spendthrift Farm noted that “his death is a huge loss to the racing community,” while Churchill Downs announcer Travis Stone reflected, “Whenever John Asher came around I knew a hearty laugh, a good story or kind words would soon follow. Churchill Downs Icon John Asher Passes Away at 62. For nearly two decades, John Asher shared his horse racing expertise, along with his love for family and music, with the readers of The Voice-Tribune in a weekly column titled, “Horse Sense,” which he ceased writing in … John Asher, vice president of racing communications at Churchill Downs, an avid promoter of the Kentucky Derby and a man known for his kind personality, has died at 62. Condolences to his family and his extended family at @ChurchillDowns, — Larry Collmus (@larrycollmus) August 27, 2018. Members of the fringe club turned volunteer Subscribe for FREE to the Daily PDF or the News Alerts. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the history of the event and passion for the ongoing tradition of the race, Asher was widely beloved and respected by his peers. A former president of the WKU National Alumni Board of Directors, Asher also was honored with a “Summit Award” for his volunteer efforts for the university. Asher is one of three honorees being inducted into The Hall of Distinguished Alumni. “His passion for the Kentucky Derby, horseracing, his WKU Hilltoppers, great music, and above all else his loving family was genuine and infectious. He wore his passion for his work, his family and his community on his sleeve.”. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Kentuckiana Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, and was honored as the chapter's “Volunteer of the Year” in 2004. My late husband John bred and raced Johnnyoneaway. His booming baritone voice coupled with … “His passion for the Kentucky Derby, horseracing, his WKU Hilltoppers, great music, and above all else his loving family was genuine and infectious. The heart and soul of @ChurchillDowns has passed. — Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) August 27, 2018. Condolences are pouring in from throughout the thoroughbred horse racing industry and beyond after the unexpected death of Churchill Downs Vice President, Racing Communications John Asher. So deeply saddened to lose @johnasher, a prince of a man, loving husband, dad, gramps, and media brother. We will miss John's laugh, his unmistakable voice, and his unique storytelling. Asher also was honored seven times by the Associated Press as Kentucky large market radio's “Best Reporter.”. He was 62. He was a truly wonderful man who exuded kindness, enthusiasm, humor, and joie de vivre with his every interaction. PaulickReport.com is published by Blenheim Publishing LLC, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, Suite 400-292, Lexington, KY 40513. We will miss John's laugh, his unmistakable voice, and his unique storytelling. — Dora Delgado (@ddelgado64) August 27, 2018. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Dee, his daughters Heather, Erin and Emma and his grandsons, Cameron and Caden.”. The world knows John Asher as the voice of Thoroughbred racing and its No. The world knows John Asher as the voice of Thoroughbred racing and its No. 60 Broad St. John Asher, widely considered the face of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby through his roles as the track's vice president of racing communications, passed away Monday morning after suffering a heart attack while on vacation with his family in Florida. After joining Churchill Downs, Asher became an integral player in handling publicity for the track's events, chiefly the Kentucky Derby. Horse racing has lost a lion. His warmth and his energy was contagious and endearing. Derby.” John Asher Suite 100 ’Rest easy John, rest easy:’ Louisville says final goodbye to horse racing icon John Asher was laid to rest at Cathedral of the Assumption. Throughout the day Monday, various racing personalities and farms took to social media to reflect on Asher's contributions to the game. His final tweet, which I smiled at when I clicked 'like' yesterday, is so very much like John. Expert Picks at the Kentucky Derby. Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts. I also know him as a strong community leader fighting for those who have little. “To say that racing has lost one of its giants with the passing of John Asher does not begin to capture the impact this man has had and will continue to have on the Churchill Downs family,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Asher, who passed away at the age of 62 He is survived by his wife, Dee, three daughters and two grandsons. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is the 147th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. But for many people, including those in the horse racing industry, Asher was known as “Mr. “To say that racing has lost one of its giants with the passing of John Asher does not begin to capture the impact this man has had and will continue to have on the Churchill Downs family,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Words that describe the life and career of John Asher. John Asher, the previous vice president of racing communications at Churchill Downs, said there are several factors and that, indeed, the way a … Figure Makers: How Speed Ratings Are Created. John S. Asher Way will now welcome horse racing fans to the sport's most iconic venue after three signs were unveiled Monday afternoon.The Metro Council voted unanimously last week to … Journalist, spokesman, storyteller, family man, Hilltopper. But for many people, including those in the horse racing industry, Asher was known as “Mr. p: (800) 647-6571 He was a former member of the board of directors of the Kentuckiana Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, and was honored as the chapter's “Volunteer of the Year” in 2004. I also know him as a strong community leader fighting for those who have little. John Asher, an iconic and beloved member of the Churchill Downs family and Louisville community, passed away Monday morning after suffering a heart attack while on vacation with his family in Florida. Just terrible to hear of his passing. John Asher was the Kentucky Derby’s beaming ambassador. Asher was well-known for his work on WHAS Radio, but for the last two decades, his face was synonymous with Churchill Downs. John Asher at the 2018 draw for the Kentucky Oaks. Horse racing has lost a lion. Asher was born Nov. 22, 1955 in Leitchfield, Kentucky and attended Western Kentucky University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism. There was no one I knew who loved this game more than @johnasher. John Asher, the vice president of racing communications at Churchill Downs Racetrack — the site of the annual Kentucky Derby in Louisville — died at … John Asher, widely considered the face of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby through his roles as the track's vice president of racing communications, passed away … The outpouring of grief and support for his family Monday suggests how popular Asher was in the racing community. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Dee, his daughters Heather, Erin and Emma and his grandsons, Cameron and Caden.”. He was a truly wonderful man who exuded kindness, enthusiasm, humor, and joie de vivre with his every interaction. Rest in eternal peace @johnasher, our deepest condolences to your family and the legions of Asher fans who knew and loved you. A lifelong horse racing fan, Asher was a walking encyclopedia of horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. f: (732) 747-8955. Grayson County native John Asher is being posthumously honored by the WKU Alumni Association. The news about John Asher is devastating. Red Bank, NJ 07701, p: (732) 747-8060 Family, horse racing, great music, good food, laughs…what a life he led. Words that describe the life and career of John Asher. Prior to joining Churchill Downs, Asher was an award-winning radio journalist at WHAS-AM and WAVE-AM in Louisville, where he earned five Eclipse Awards for “Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing” and countless other honors, including a National Headliner and Scripps-Howard Award and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, Radio and Television News Directors Association and Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Your TDN download has begun. I named him Johnnyoneaway as John was always one away from a trifecta or superfecta. Racing has lost an icon. I, and many others, have lost a kind and generous friend. One of the good guys. Asher, the longtime Churchill Downs spokesman and executive known for his love of horse racing and his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, died Monday. Around midnight, hours after the winning horse crossed the finish line and as crews collected trash from the ground, Rogers and Asher typically left together, another Kentucky Derby in the … Within the Thoroughbred industry, Asher received the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year award in 2006; the Charles W. Engelhard Award for excellence in media coverage from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders; the Dean Eagle Award from the Knights of Columbus; and a media award from the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Subscribe for FREE to the Daily PDF or the News Alerts, Home » Archive » Shared News » Churchill Downs Icon John Asher Passes Away at 62. Just a few of the quotes from those who knew him: Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert: “John was the warm human face of Churchill Downs. Racing has lost an icon. Click here to sign up for our daily email newsletter to keep up on this and other stories happening in the Thoroughbred industry.Copyright © 2021 Paulick Report. @ChurchillDowns, — Jeannine Edwards (@jeanninee12) August 27, 2018, Absolutely devastating news for our sport. I was always happy to see him. One of the best guys. I, and many others, have lost a kind and generous friend. He is a flashy looking chestnut and his new owner is very happy with him as a show horse. John Asher was one of the best people I will ever be honored to know….fair, thoughtful, fun, generous of spirit, knowledgeable, interesting and (far more rare) interested…. I will so miss his presence at Churchill Downs and the streets and boardrooms of Louisville where his total humanity shone like a brilliant first Saturday in May. By Connie Leonard | September 5, 2018 at 7:22 PM EDT - Updated September 6 at 10:32 AM . The news about John Asher is devastating. ❤️ God rest his soul. Once you knew him, he always remembered you and he always had the answer to the question, 'How many days until the next Derby?' Asher also keeps tabs on all potential Derby contenders and other horses pointing toward Churchill's major races. So, I enter the horse for opening day of the CD spring meet which of course is the weekend before the Derby. New to the Paulick Report? Asher joined Churchill Downs in January 1997 and had served in his communications role since March 1999. John Asher. Live odds, betting, horse bios, travel info, tickets, news, and updates from Churchill Downs Race Track. The hearse transporting John Asher for Tuesday's public visitation at the track will carry him for a final lap around the historic oval. Horse Racing Has Lost a Legend in John Asher. An irreplaceable ambassador for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, Asher joined Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, in January 1997, and he served as vice president of Racing Communications since March 1999. Asher was recognized in 2004 as “Public Relations Practitioner of the Year” by the Western Kentucky University School of Journalism and Broadcasting. His passion for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby was infectious. When you met John you were instantly drawn into his dynamic personality. On Monday, Aug. 27, the racing world was jolted by the tragic news that John Asher, the longtime vice president of racing communications for Churchill Downs, had passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack at the age of 62. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Whenever anyone in horse racing died, and there was a story to be done, my first phone call was to John Asher at Churchill Downs. A kind, friendly, helpful and professional man who will be sorely missed. LOUISVILLE, Ky. >> John Asher’s devotion to the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs and horse racing were obvious anytime he was asked about those subjects, often weaving them together in entertaining Born Nov. 22, 1955 in Leitchfield, Ky., Asher was a proud alum of Western Kentucky University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism. His role as a vice president … John Asher, who in his role as vice president of racing communications at Churchill Downs was the public face and voice of the iconic racetrack and … If the download does not complete, Click Here. Churchill Downs confirmed Asher suffered a heart attack Monday … Away from the track, Asher was well-known for his generous community service outreach and volunteerism. 1 fan–and he was the best. Asher was selected in March 2010 from a pool of more than 5,500 nominees from the region as one of 128 individuals recognized as Leadership Louisville's Connectors. We hoped Johnny would out perform his name but unfortunately he was 7,8 or 9 away. In this article, we take a look at John Asher's net worth in 2020, total earnings, salary, and biography. pic.twitter.com/1np8bGxz2E, — Terry Meiners (@terrymeiners) August 27, 2018, I am shocked and SO sorry to hear of the passing of John Asher. 1 fan – and he was the best. He was as Kentucky as the Derby, bluegrass, bourbon and hot browns. Condolences to his family. That degree propelled him to an award-winning radio career at WHAS-AM and WAVE-AM in Louisville, where he earned five Eclipse Awards for “Outstanding National Radio Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing” and countless other honors. These “Connectors” are described as successful in getting things done because of their distinctive style of “trusted leadership.”. 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