Trainers

Trainers. . , Walker Hughes, who died 1926, although the date on his marker indicates 1927, was a trotting horse trainer. Trainers are crucial to preparing thoroughbreds and trotters for racing as well as instructing the jockeys and drivers who guide them. Trainers of thoroughbred horses in the late 19th century were often African Americans. Abraham "Abe” Perry was the trainer of Joe Cotton who won the 1885 Kentucky Derby. Although he does not have a grave marker, he is believed to be buried next to his wife, Clara Perry, in Section D. Another famous African American trainer was Ansel Williamson. Williamson was the trainer of Aristides, who won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. Ansel's daughter, Emily Ann Cohn, her husband, and one of their children are buried in the family plot at the cemetery and we believe that archival research will show that Williamson was also buried here. , Biographical information courtesy of , Yvonne Giles and Anne Butler, PhD , Sign produced with support from a University of Kentucky , Commonwealth Collaboratives Grant , 'Young Equestrian Scholars Initiative'.