I would have loved to have made it to Saratoga for opening day yesterday but instead I took advantage of one of the gems in my lovely home state. I took a self guided walking tour through The Lexington Cemetery founded in 1849. With a little Google search and the help of a map and data base at the cemetery office I was able to locate several of the industry’s great horsemen’s final resting place.
First, I visited the grave of Benjamin Gratz Bruce. He passed away in 1891. He and his brother were responsible for the journal “Turf, Field and Farm”. Bruce made the first two volumes on the “American Stud Book” and he created “The Livestock Record” in Lexington. He was an expert on Thoroughbred bloodlines and racing and he was an officer for many racing organizations.
Dr. Elisha Warfield, Jr. was buried here as well after his death in 1859. He owned The Meadows, a stud farm where he bred the great U.S. Hall of Famer, Lexington. Lexington was the leading sire in North America 16 times, making him one of the greatest sires of all time. Warfield also contributed to the creation of this cemetery.
I also located the site where Barak G. Thomas was laid to rest in 1906. He owned Dixiana Farm. He bred Himyar who placed in the Kentucky Derby in 1878 and Domino, a Champion 2 Year Old and American Horse of the Year. Dixiana is still a great and active Thoroughbred farm and training facility today.
Byron McClelland died in in 1897. He is buried here too. He owned the MCClelland Stable where he owned and/or trained many great horses including Sallie, Bermuda, Henry of Navarre and Margrave. McClelland had wins in all 3 of the legs that eventually became the Triple Crown.
John R. Gaines was buried here in 2005. He founded the Breeders Cup and owned the famous Gainesway Farm. Gainesway is still an active and successful Thoroughbred farm. Gaines also founded the National Thoroughbred Association.
There are over 71,000 people buried in this cemetery and many more, than I found yesterday, that have great Thoroughbred history connections. I plan to go back and enjoy the serenity again. Share in the comments if you know of a great horseman that is buried here, in The Lexington Cemetery. Have a nice weekend!
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