Lexington
Title
Lexington
Subject
Photography of horse sports
Description
This is a digitized print image of American Thoroughbred and the 16-time leading North American sire, Lexington.
Lexington was born in 1850 within what is now the city limits of Lexington, Kentucky. He was bred by Dr. Elisha Warfield, an influential figure in 19th century breeding and racing, at Warfield’s farm, The Meadows, adjacent to the Kentucky Association Race Track.
The horse first raced under the name of “Darley” until he was sold to Richard Ten Broeck and partners Junius Ward, Willa Viley, and Abe Buford. Ten Broeck recruited trainer J.B. Pryor and renamed the horse “Lexington.”
After Lexington retired from racing due to diminishing eyesight, with a record of 6-1-0 from 7 starts and earnings of $56,600, he stood at the Nantura Stock Farm in Midway, Kentucky.
In 1858 he was sold to Robert Alexander’s Woodburn Stud in Spring Station, Kentucky, for $15,000 – the highest price paid for an American horse in history at that time.
Under Robert Alexander’s ownership, Lexington was the leading North American sire every year between 1861 and 1874. He topped the list again twice (1876 and 1878) after his death on July 1, 1875.
He and his sire, Boston, were among the first Thoroughbreds inducted in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1955.
The horse remains a symbol of the town of Lexington, which named him the “Official Horse of Bluegrass Country.”
Lexington was born in 1850 within what is now the city limits of Lexington, Kentucky. He was bred by Dr. Elisha Warfield, an influential figure in 19th century breeding and racing, at Warfield’s farm, The Meadows, adjacent to the Kentucky Association Race Track.
The horse first raced under the name of “Darley” until he was sold to Richard Ten Broeck and partners Junius Ward, Willa Viley, and Abe Buford. Ten Broeck recruited trainer J.B. Pryor and renamed the horse “Lexington.”
After Lexington retired from racing due to diminishing eyesight, with a record of 6-1-0 from 7 starts and earnings of $56,600, he stood at the Nantura Stock Farm in Midway, Kentucky.
In 1858 he was sold to Robert Alexander’s Woodburn Stud in Spring Station, Kentucky, for $15,000 – the highest price paid for an American horse in history at that time.
Under Robert Alexander’s ownership, Lexington was the leading North American sire every year between 1861 and 1874. He topped the list again twice (1876 and 1878) after his death on July 1, 1875.
He and his sire, Boston, were among the first Thoroughbreds inducted in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1955.
The horse remains a symbol of the town of Lexington, which named him the “Official Horse of Bluegrass Country.”
Date
1866-09-08
Rights
This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Physical rights are retained by the Keeneland Library. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.
Format
print image
Type
still image
Files
Collection
Citation
“Lexington,” The Keeneland Library, accessed April 16, 2024, https://keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/374.