Carol (Hall) Culp Passes Away

[Wandering Eyes]

Carol Culp, wife of the late Thoroughbred trainer Harvey Culp, passed away Apr. 11 at home and surrounded by family and loving friends. Carol was the first female to receive a license as an exercise rider on the tracks throughout New England in the early 1950s. Well known throughout the Midwestern tracks for her great smile and loving personality, she was passionate about the sport of racing, and even more passionate about the people who devoted their lives to these magnificent animals. Carol always had time to speak with the people who made the business tick, from the hot walkers, to the trainers, veterinarians, and owners.

The Hall family has extensive ties to the Thoroughbred industry. Carol’s father Norman was a full-time horseman who was a frequent judge at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, a Thoroughbred breeder and Huntsman for the Norfolk Hunt Club. The Norman Hall S. at Suffolk Downs was run annually in East Boston in his honor.

Three of Carol’s four siblings continue to be involved in the horse industry. Dr. Pete Hall is a veterinarian who was stabled at Monmouth Park for over 25 years before “retiring” to join the Keeneland selections team. Dr. Hall was the attending veterinarian for Holy Bull. John Hall worked with Taylor Made Farm for over 20 years where he and his team raised the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah during his yearling year. Holly Hall runs an equine boarding facility at the location of the original Hall Family homestead in Massachusetts. Bill Hall may not have walked the path of a horseman, clearly the brains of the bunch, as he became a highly esteemed Geophysicist.

Carol’s legacy lives on as generations of her family continue to be involved in the horse industry. She is survived by her daughters Charlene (Tony) Weber of Dousman, WI and Cathleen (Louis) Martin of Rush, CO, five grandchildren and siblings Bill (Ruth) Hall, Dr. Pete (Patty) Hall, John (Devi) Hall, and Holly Hall.

Carol will be remembered for her selfless nature, embracing love and devotion to her faith and family. All of five foot in stature, she may have been little, but she was fierce. Her heart was truly bigger than she was. A celebration of her life will be held on July 28 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Norfolk, MA.

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