Newmarket in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Henry “Hammerin' Hank” Wajda

1934-1973

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 2024

1. Henry “Hammerin' Hank” Wajda Marker

Inscription. N.H.'s most successful jockey of the 20th century, Wajda, a Newmarket native, won over 2,200 races and achieved leading jockey honors at all major New England tracks. In 1958, he set a world record at Rockingham Park riding Mark Antony. He ranked 5th in the nation and was one of the region's highest paid professional athletes in 1963. During his career he was recognized for saving a rival jockey from a fatal fall at Suffolk Downs. Wajda lost his own life in 1973, following an accident at Rockingham Park.

Erected 2023 by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources • New Hampshire Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 290.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.

Location. 43° 3.233′ N, 70° 56.231′ W. Marker is in Newmarket, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. It is on Exeter Road (New Hampshire Route 108) north of Ash Swamp Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the edge of Calvary Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 Exeter Rd, Newmarket NH 03857, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Hilton Family of Newfields (approx. 1.4 miles away); Wentworth Cheswill (approx. 1.6 miles away); Cheswell's Store (approx. 1.6 miles away); Griffin Hardware (approx. 1.6 miles away); Newmarket, NH Civil War Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Engine House (approx. 1.6 miles away); War of the Rebellion Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Tenney's Corner (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newmarket.

Also see . . . Henry Wajda. Wikipedia article on the horse jockey, who worked at a shoe factory in his hometown of Newmarket before embarking on his racing career. (Submitted on November 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 2024

2. Henry “Hammerin' Hank” Wajda Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.