Thoroughbred blogging takes an incredible amount of research time. I have not read so much in years. One of my more enjoyable reads was “Madam Belle: Sex, Money and Influence in a Southern Brothel” by Maryjean Wall. I had been tipped off that this biographical book, about a madam, is actually a wonderful account of horse racing in Lexington, Kentucky, as it was in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Harlots and horses!
Belle Brezing was a madam known internationally in her times and historically. She was born in Lexington on June 16th of 1860 as Mary Belle Cox to an unwed mother who later married a man with the last name Brezing. Belle had a sad childhood and became a mother herself in her mid-teens to a daughter with poor mental function. During her daughters early years her own mother died. Belle gave her daughter away and the child spent her life mostly institutionalized. Belle than began her career on Christmas Eve as a prostitute. She found work at a brothel owned by Jenny Hill. This brothel was once the family home of Mary Todd Lincoln before she married the United States’ 16th President. Belle was quite popular and influential as a prostitute. The profession was much more acceptable and normal during the Victorian Era. Lexington once had more than 150 brothels in operation. Belle met the right people and she made enough money through her work and real estate investments that she was able to open her own brothel, establishing herself as a madam. She eventually owned the best brothel in Lexington. Her visitors came from all over the U.S. and her name was known as far as Argentina. Belle is assumed to be the influence for Margaret Mitchell’s book, turned classic film, “Gone with the Wind” character Belle Watling. Other books have been written on Brezing as well. Additionally, many horses have been named for her as well. One of these horse name connections was also named Belle Watling, the dam of War Story, who came in 16th in the 2015 Kentucky Derby but did better, just days ago, with a 4th place finish in the Ohio Derby. Belle Brezing had a fascinating life and ran her brothel until 1917. On 8/11/1940 Belle died, in her home, of uterine cancer.
In Belle’s hay day Lexington was, as it is, the horse capital of the world. Downtown Lexington there was a racetrack, the Kentucky Association Track. It was built in the 1830s. The 1 mile dirt track was, of course, on Race Street. During the Victorian Era anybody who was anyone in Lexington and even the school children spoke horse talk. Pedigrees were rattled off from memory. People came to Lexington to breed, buy, race and sell horses. Other than the track the best places to discuss Thoroughbreds was either the Phoenix Hotel or Madam Brezing’s brothel. Brezing, having access to speak to all of the right people was an expert on horses. She loved to attend races at the KY Association as well as Louisville, Cincinnati or maybe even Saratoga. She traveled to New York often to obtain her high fashion wardrobe. The KY Association track was a big deal in its day and is a huge part of Thoroughbred racing history. The amazing horse, Man O’ War ran his last race here on 1/28/1921. It is where the Grade 3 Phoenix Stakes began as the Phoenix Hotel Handicap in 1831. This race is the oldest stakes race in the United States. It took place at the KY Association Track until 1930. The track’s wooden grandstand caught fire in 1933 and burned the place down. Keeneland race track took the race over starting in 1937. It will take place this coming October and is part of the “Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic” both to be held at Keeneland this year. Other important races got their start at the KY Association Track too. The Grade 1 Ashland Stakes ran at Keeneland, this past April and since 1936, was 1st the Ashland Oaks. The Breeders’ Cup Futurity Stakes began at The KY Assoc. in 1910 until 1930 and moved to Keeneland in 1938. It is a Grade 1 race that is also a qualifying race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 1911 the KY Assoc. initiated the Blue Grass Stakes, another Grade 1 race that was moved to Keeneland in 1937. Also, the Ben Ali Stakes originated at the KY Association Track. This Grade 3 race began in 1917 and moved to Keeneland in 1937.
Keeneland racetrack opened in 1936, three years after the fall of the Kentucky Association track. In addition to adopting all of the races listed above Keeneland also obtained some unburnt bleachers from the destroyed track. I was most shocked to find that the posts seen throughout Keeneland at the entrance, finish line, and perhaps elsewhere are actually also from the KY Association track. Currently, Keeneland uses aluminum replicas that came from the mold of an original post. The real posts were placed at Keeneland but destroyed by repeated car wrecks. The KA symbol seen in my above picture collage doesn’t stand for Keeneland Association after all. It really is the original symbol for the Kentucky Association. I am so shocked!
Belle Breezing did her part to entertain and maintain the Thoroughbred racing industry and its people. Judge her profession, or not, she is an important part of racing history. If you have the time read up on Belle and the industry’s exciting past.
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