W. Cothran “Cot” Campbell is the President of Dogwood Stable, perennially one of North America’s leading Thoroughbred racing stables. Although he is a familiar sight in winner’s circles from Miami to New York, Campbell did not take the easy road to success. While he was always a huge fan of racing, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that he could turn his energies and passions to pursuing his dream of owning Thoroughbred racehorses. His life, though colorful and exciting, had its fair share of highs and lows.

Born in New Orleans in 1927, Campbell came from a racing family – his grandfather Dick Cothran was an original member of the New Orleans Jockey Club. Horses, however, didn’t figure into the picture of Campbell’s early career picture. He had a stint in the Navy, was a boat driver and water ski show emcee at Cypress Gardens, a car parker at a Miami night club, sports writer, apprentice mortician, and advertising copywriter.

After battling alcoholism for many of his early years, Campbell joined AA in 1957 and vowing to never take another drink, he turned his life around. Having worked several years for one of Atlanta’s advertising agencies, Campbell went out on his own, and with a friend, formed Burton-Campbell Inc., which grew into one of the South’s leading ad agencies.

With his life on the upward track, Campbell purchased a racehorse with some pals. Because he was the one with a racing background, he managed the partnership. Before long there were more Thoroughbred purchases, and Campbell began selling partnership shares in his horses—and a new way to enter the world of Thoroughbred racing was born.

Since 1969, when a filly named Social Asset first raced in the green and yellow Dogwood colors, Campbell has introduced more than 1,200 people to racing, and Dogwood has purchased more than a $100 million in bloodstock. The stable has campaigned 71 stakes winners, and competed in ten Triple Crown races – with a win (Summer Squall’s Preakness victory in 1990), a second place and two thirds. There have been two champions and six millionaires.

Campbell is the author of three books – the brand new autobiography Memoirs of a Longshot, Rascals and Racehorses (2002) and Lightning in a Jar (2000).

Campbell and his wife Anne live in Aiken, South Carolina. They have two daughters – Cary Umhau and Lila Tindall, and six grandchildren.

For more information on Cot Campbell and his Dogwood Stable, please visit www.dogwoodstable.com.