Phil McCarthy, DVM, a veterinarian who specialized in reproductive issues and the owner of Watercress Farm near Paris, Ky., died Nov. 29 of cancer at his home in Lexington. He was 58.

"Phil McCarthy was a pioneer in many different areas of the horse business; from fetal sexing of mares to diagnosing and treating stallion infertility," said James Robertson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS. "Phil was always on the cutting edge."

It was McCarthy who worked, although unsuccessfully, on Cigar after he was unable to impregnate mares. After an insurance claim was paid, Cigar moved to McCarthy's farm. Cigar was later moved to the Kentucky Horse Park. McCarthy's other patients included A P Valentine, who was able to impregnate mares after McCarthy's treatment.

McCarthy graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario in 1977. In 1978, he did his residency at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Centre, where he specialized in large animal reproductive studies. In 1979, McCarthy went to work for Walnut Hall Farms where he was resident veterinarian and ultimately became the farm manager