Dr. Charles W. “Doc” Graham, DVM, has passed away at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of Elgin, Texas, Dr. Graham was a beloved figure in the American Quarter Horse industry and a 2009 inductee into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. He also served as an AQHA director-at-large and dedicated his life to improving the horse industry through veterinary innovation, leadership, and mentorship.
A full obituary will be posted upon receipt, but AQHA honors his legacy now with deep appreciation and remembrance.
Dr. Graham’s life and career were defined by vision, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the American Quarter Horse. While attending veterinary school at Texas A&M University, he already knew the path he wanted to pursue: to establish a stallion station. That vision became a reality in 1961 when he founded the Elgin Veterinary Clinic and the Southwest Stallion Station, with the help of Dr. W.H. Cardwell. These facilities would go on to serve as cornerstones of equine health and breeding in Texas for decades.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Graham expanded his impact well beyond his clinic. He became co-owner of Heritage Place Sale Company in Oklahoma City in 1976, and in 1987, he acquired Graham Land and Cattle Co., whose cowboys worked horses bred from his program. AQHA records show that Dr. Graham bred 289 foals in his own name across 46 foal crops. His program contributed greatly to the advancement of Quarter Horse bloodlines, and his influence can be found in both performance and working horses today.
Dr. Graham was also an influential figure in the racing world. He bred 78 race winners, including seven stakes winners, with earnings totaling more than $1.4 million from 161 starters. His leadership within the Texas Quarter Horse Association, the Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association helped elevate the racing industry’s credibility and visibility, particularly among lawmakers and voters.
In recognition of his contributions to the veterinary field, Dr. Graham was named an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine. His work with the AQHA Equine Research Committee and other scientific organizations played a key role in advancing equine health and performance research. In 2018, Texas A&M University honored Dr. Graham by naming its new Canyon-based Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in his honor—a testament to his lifetime of contributions to veterinary medicine.
Dr. Graham’s service to the horse community extended to youth programs, research, ranching, and mentorship. He was deeply involved in every facet of the Quarter Horse—from breeding and racing to ranch and performance horses—and was a longtime supporter of the American Quarter Horse Foundation. He took pride in sharing his knowledge with the next generation and was a role model for countless veterinarians, horsemen, and youth across the country.
A true industry trailblazer, Dr. Graham was the only individual ever to serve as president of both the Texas Quarter Horse Association and the Texas Thoroughbred Association. He was also the only person to receive the title of Horseman of the Year from both organizations. His accomplishments were recognized across the horse and livestock world, and his Hall of Fame honors include not only the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, but also the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame, and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Dr. Graham’s distinguished career brought numerous awards, including the 2013 Texas A&M AgriLife Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award, the 2010 College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award, and the 1991 CVMBS Outstanding Alumnus Award.
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