Private services were held yesterday at St. Brigid’s Church in Gladstone for James C. Brady, a member of a family with deep roots in Somerset County and the thoroughbred industry.
Mr. Brady, 85, was the grandson of James Cox Brady, who built the landmark stable that is the home of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation on his estate, Hamilton Farms; his son, the second James Cox Brady, was one of the founding directors of the Monmouth Park racetrack. He also served as chairman of the New York Racing Association when Belmont Park was built.
The late James Cox Brady of Bedminster
In turn, his son, the third James C. Brady, kept up the family tradition, managing the Mill House Racing stable whose runners included America Alive, Brilliant, Trappe Shot and Rattlesnake Bridge. He was the general partner of Mill House Associates, successor to Brady Security & Realty Corporation. In 1957, Mr. Brady began work at Bankers Trust Company, resigning to take a position as commissioner of banking in New Jersey Gov. William Cahill’s cabinet, helping plan development of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, including Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack.
In 1983, Mr. Brady was appointed secretary-treasurer of The Jockey Club, joining newly elected chairman Ogden Mills Phipps and vice chairman William S. Farish. These men led a three-decade period of growth for The Jockey Club, establishing new commercial business, including Equibase Company and several technology-based service and data businesses. Proceeds from the commercial subsidiaries fueled increasing investments in the marketing of Thoroughbred racing and research and advocacy for improved safety and integrity of the sport. Mr. Brady, who remained on the board of stewards until 2013, was succeeded by his nephew, Ian Highet, as secretary-treasurer of The Jockey Club in 2010.
At his home in Somerset County, he also was a supporter of the Essex Foxhounds..
Mr. Brady is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan Babcock Brady; his brother, Nicholas Brady, a former chairman of The Jockey Club, U.S. Senator, and Treasury Secretary; and his sisters Lisa Richards and Eliot Stewart; a son, James C. Brady and his wife, Anne Lusk Brady; daughters Joan “Nonie” Brady and her husband, Wilhelm Merck; and Kerry Chace Brady and her partner, Brock Dolman. Mr. Brady had two granddaughters, Audrey Slade Brady and Millicent McKay Brady.
A memorial service celebrating his life is to be held in the spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Brady’s memory may be made to LifeCamp, http://greaternewarklifecamp.org/, a summer camp for inner city youth, long supported by the Brady family.