Former jockey and racing official Joe Servis of Charles Town, W.Va., died Nov. 14 from complications related to bladder cancer, according to his son, John. He was 92.
A rider for 11 years and later a manager of the Jockeys’ Guild and a steward for 25 years at Charles Town, Servis was inducted into the Charles Town Hall of Fame in 2010. John Servis said his father built a reputation for being a tough but fair steward.
John and other siblings grew up about a half-mile from Charles Town, now known as Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Some family members followed Joe Servis into racing.
When Joe Servis was with the Jockeys’ Guild through the 1960s, one base of operations was Churchill Downs, where, about four decades later, John would win the 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) with Someday Farm’s Smarty Jones .
“He was a great mentor,” John said. “He was the kind of person where he would never sugarcoat anything. If you asked him a question, you got his response whether you liked it or not. A lot of times you didn’t. But you would realize a little farther down the line that he was right on the money.”
Servis is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dolores; sons John and Jason and their respective wives, Sherry and Natalie; his eldest daughter Laurie, married to trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.; and his youngest daughter Jodie.
A celebration of Joe Servis’ life is planned at a later date, John said.
