Chris Brown, an equine dentist who in 2009 won a New York appellate court decision granting lay dentists the right to practice in the state, died at home July 14. He was 68 and had been suffering from heart disease.

Based at Belmont Park, in Elmonth, N.Y., Brown was well-known at New York tracks, as well as across the country.

In 2006, Brown and other lay dentists were ruled off because the New York Racing Association tracks believed they were not properly licensed. Brown fought back, winning first in 2007 in Nassau County Supreme Court and then the final appellate decision in 2009. Billy Turner, who trained Seattle Slew to winning racing’s Triple Crown, testified on his behalf.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in Brown’s memory to The Racetrack Chaplaincy of New York