by Pete Denk

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club made Gus Koch a member for life and presented him with a julep cup at its membership meeting on Wednesday evening in Lexington.

Koch, manager of Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, was the KTFMC’s farm manager of the year in 2004 and is a past president of the organization.

Koch joined Claiborne as assistant farm manager in 1978. The stud careers of leading sires Danzig and Mr. Prospector were developed during Koch’s time there.

“I came to my first meeting in 1968, when Henry White was president. I love this club,” Koch said. “We’ve always had good speakers and good topics, and I’ve improved as a horseman and as a person because of this club.”

Koch’s son Matt was announced as the new KTFMC president on Wednesday. The other officers for 2009 will be Mark McEntee (vice president), Melissa Grucza (secretary), Marc McLean (treasurer), and Grant Williamson (sergeant-at-arms).

The directors will be Scott Mallory, Mary Mannis, Des Dempsey, Katheryn Cerny, Todd Fischer, and B.G. “Scooter” Hughes.

Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times