Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Artistides

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 9, 2014

1. Artistides Marker (Obverse)

Inscription.

In May 1875, an estimated 10,000 racing fans watched the first running of the Kentucky Derby. Among the field of fifteen thoroughbreds, Aristides, the “little red horse,” won the mile-and-one-half race. Oliver Lewis, a nineteen-year-old African American jockey, rode Aristides to his unexpected victory.
Class of 2011

Reverse:
Aristides was born on Hal Price McGrath’s farm, McGrathiana. The colt was trained by Ansel Williamson, who was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 1998. After several changes in ownership, McGrathiana is now part of the University of Kentucky’s Coldstream Research Campus.
Class of 2011

Erected 2012 by Kentucky Historical Society / Class of 2011. (Marker Number 2381.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Animals • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1875.

Location. 38° 5.868′ N, 84° 29.929′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from McGrathians Pky.. Coldstream Research Park by the Legacy Trail, Lexington. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1670 McGrathians Pky, Lexington KY 40511, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Coldstream Farm (approx. ¾ mile away); Man o' War / Man o' War (1917-1947) (approx. 0.8 miles away); Glengarry Field-Cool Meadow / Fasig-Tipton Since 1898 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lexington Colored Fair Association / Successful Enterprise (approx. 1.4 miles away); Colored Orphan Industrial Home (approx. 2.3 miles away); Dr. Luke P. Blackburn Correctional Complex / Blackburn Correctional Complex (approx. 2.3 miles away); Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Wing Commander / Famous Saddle Horse (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

More about this marker. This marker is a little harder to find, but I did looking for another. If you come off I 75 going south on Newtown Pike, take a right onto Aristides Blvd. at the Embassy Suites Lexington. Go to end of street or McGrathians Pky. turn right and follow pky. to parking area at walking trail. Marker is just across the walking trail.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker funded by UK Student Development Council.
This marker

Artistides Marker (Reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 9, 2014

2. Artistides Marker (Reverse)

was entirely funded by student donations as part of the University of Kentucky (UK) Student Development Council (SDC). Each year, by tradition, each graduating class of UK shares a piece of UK and Kentucky history through this marker program. The SDC has raised more than $110,000 for the marker program and student scholarships as part of the Live Blue Legacy Program.

— Submitted July 3, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Artistides Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 9, 2014

3. Artistides Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2014, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 532 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2014, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.