BELL, JOHN ARNER III, 88, and husband of 60 years to Jessica Gay, passed away Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at St. Joseph Hospital. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, December 11, 1918, he was the son of the late John A. Bell Jr. and Nellie Waite Bell. Mr. Bell graduated from Princeton, where he studied geology, but a business trip to Kentucky created an interest in the horse business. He leased a portion of Hamburg Place to launch the original Jonabell Farm. On that property, he cared for mares owned by Robert Sterling Clark, and on Clark's behalf raised Never Say Die, which in 1954 became the first American-bred to win the historic Epsom Derby in England. That year, Mr. Bell purchased property on Bowman's Mill Road, where he established a larger Jonabell Farm, which he and his family operated until it was sold in 2001 to the head of the ruling family of Dubai. Mr. Bell was a partner and then owner of Cromwell Bloodstock Agency and established a reputation for integrity and wisdom in the purchase, sale, and management of horses and horse insurance for a wide range of clients. He bred more than 50 stakes winners, including champion Epitome, which carried the Bell colors to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1987. Mr. Bell won two runnings of Keeneland's Spinster Stakes, Kentucky's most important race for older fillies and mares, with Try Something New and Hail a Cab. In addition to Never Say Die, horses foaled and raised at Jonabell Farm for clients included Damascus, Horse of the Year in 1967, and Summing, winner of the Belmont Stakes of 1981. Mr. Bell was a mainstay as a consignor to yearling sales at Keeneland, and he set records both as seller and buyer at the Saratoga yearling sales. Louis Wolfson, owner of Affirmed, entrusted the stallion's final years at stud to the management of Jonabell, and the 1978 Triple Crown winner is buried on the property, now known as Darley at Jonabell. Other important stallions which Mr. Bell stood at Jonabell include Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year and sire of 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. In addition to his own success and impeccable reputation, Mr. Bell's legacy to horseracing is distinguished by his many roles of leadership in its sporting, business, and regulatory aspects. As early as 1949, he was respected enough by peers to be elected president of the KY Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club, and through the next half-century he lent his leadership and energy to many other associations. He served as president of the Thoroughbred Club of America and of The Blood-Horse, Inc. During long service to the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, he was among its representatives influential in creation of the American Horse Council, the Kentucky Horse Park, and the initiation of ratings of the most important races in North America (Graded Stakes Committee). He also chaired the American Horse Council's committee which guided creation of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978. This federal legislation paved the way for the proliferation of simulcasting, which today accounts for more than 80 percent of all dollars wagered on domestic horse races. Mr. Bell served on the Kentucky State Racing Commission during the difficult months of dealing with the disqualification of Dancer's Image from his victory in the 1968 Kentucky Derby, and he served as vice president of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners. He also was a long-time director and a member of the executive committee of Keeneland, a member and steward of the Jockey Club, and a trustee of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. Mr. Bell received one of racing's highest honors when named honored guest of the Thoroughbred Club of America in 1971, and he was presented the University of Louisville's 1990 John W. Galbreath Award, which recognizes entrepreneurial vision and integrity within the horse industry. Mr. Bell also received the KY Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' William Coman Award for humanitarian efforts. In local affairs, Mr. Bell was a director of the Second National Bank and a member of Idle Hour Country Club. In recent years, Mr. Bell had devoted much of his time and energy to assisting those suffering from substance abuse. Following a lead gift of $250,000 by Jessica Bell, an endowment of $1.4 million was raised to establish the Bell Addictive Diseases Chair last year at the University of Kentucky. The Bell Chair's purpose is to educate doctors on how better to help patients suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. In addition to his widow, Mr. Bell is survived by four children, all of whom followed their parents' example of involvement in the Thoroughbred industry, John A. Bell IV, Jessica Bell Nicholson, James Gatewood Bell and Bennett Bell Williams; two sons-in-law, Joseph Browne Nicholson and John Williams; two daughters-in-law, Nancy Stout Bell and Wende Stone Bell; nine grandchildren, James Gatewood Bell Jr., Tyler Nelson Bell, Shelby Simpson Bell, John A. (Quin) Bell V, Rhodes Patton Bell, Laura Riddle Bell, James Christopher Nicholson, Kelsey Nicholson Hempel, and Richard Martin Williams; and two great-grandchildren, Elliott McCreary Hempel and Bennett Browne Hempel. The family expresses special appreciation for caregiver Mrs. Jenny Price. Pallbearers will be Mr. Bell's grandsons and sons-in-law. Graveside services will be held at the Lexington Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Keene Barn at Keeneland Race Course. Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Main St. is in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Bell Endowed Chair at the University of Kentucky, UK Office of Development, attention H.I. Stroth, Sturgill Building, 120 Rose St., Lexington, KY 40506, Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, KY 40504 or to a charity of one's choice.