Randall Gatlin Brandon, 80, died Aug. 15, 2022, in his hometown of Camden, S.C. He was the son of the late Gatlin Randall and Frances Johns Brandon. Randy is survived by his wife, Kirsty May Brandon; daughters Julie Carter (Andrew) and Lisa Boyle, both of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren Katie and Emma Carter; brothers Dr. Jeff Brandon (Nancy) of Palm Coast, Fla., and Kyle Brandon of El Paso, Texas.
He 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, Randy moved to Maryland where he established his own vet practice serving owners and trainers at tracks, including Laurel Park, Bowie, Pimlico Race Course, and Delaware Park. His equine clientele not only included the bread-and-butter horses but also stakes winners and classics contenders. Randy was very "old school" when it came to giving veterinary advice to his clients, as he chose good horsemanship over unnecessary procedures and medications. The horse came first, and if the best medicine for the day was some turnout time, that is what he prescribed for the horses.
After 30 years on the racetrack, Randy sold his practice and made South Carolina his home. The focus of his vet practice turned to assisting his clients in their pre-purchase needs at Thoroughbred auctions throughout the country. From coast to coast, if there was a horse sale, Dr. Brandon would be there.
Although the auction schedule kept him busy and on the road for weeks on end, he enjoyed planning the matings for his and Kirsty's small broodmare operation, which awarded them many bonuses from their New York-bred foals who competed and won on the New York circuit. They would foal in New York, be bred back in Kentucky, and then raised to be sales yearlings at their Dixie Farm in Camden. He enjoyed watching his homebreds develop under his watchful eye and Kirsty's attention to detail. Whenever there was an open week, Randy enjoyed going on hunting and fishing trips with colleagues. He loved and appreciated the outdoors and all that went with it.
"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, CEO 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.
Contributions may be made in his memory to Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, 261 State Farm Rd. #8200, Rembert, S.C. 29128 or to New Vocations, 719 Dolan Lane, Lexington, Ky. 40511 (newvocations.org).
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Timonium, Md. Further details will be announced.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
