Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Dr. Elisha Warfield
1781 - 1859
Photographed By Ken Smith, July 11, 2012
1. Dr. Elisha Warfield Marker
Inscription.
Dr. Elisha Warfield. His name having wafted down through history as The Father of the Kentucky Turf, Dr. Elisha Warfield had the overriding distinction of having been the breeder of the stallion Lexington. Depicted elsewhere in this park, Lexington was a bellwether individual among 18th Century American Thoroughbreds. A champion on the race track, first racing for Dr. Warfield and afterward for new owner Richard Ten Broeck, Lexington proceeded to lead the national list of sires a record 16 times. Dr. Warfield's family had come to Kentucky from Maryland and settled in Lexington when he was a child. He received a medical degree from Transylvania University in this city and before he was 30 had become a professor of surgery. He was a race horse owner as well by that time, and his blue and white silks were seen in Kentucky racing for more than a half-century. He was among charter members and a trustee of the Kentucky Association, which constructed a track in downtown Lexington in 1828. Racing was held at the track until its demise more than a century later, in 1933.
His name having wafted down through history as The Father of the Kentucky Turf, Dr. Elisha Warfield had the overriding distinction of having been the breeder of the stallion Lexington. Depicted elsewhere in this park, Lexington was a bellwether individual among 18th Century American Thoroughbreds. A champion on the race track, first racing for Dr. Warfield and afterward for new owner Richard Ten Broeck, Lexington proceeded to lead the national list of sires a record 16 times. Dr. Warfield's family had come to Kentucky from Maryland and settled in Lexington when he was a child. He received a medical degree from Transylvania University in this city and before he was 30 had become a professor of surgery. He was a race horse owner as well by that time, and his blue and white silks were seen in Kentucky racing for more than a half-century. He was among charter members and a trustee of the Kentucky Association, which constructed a track in downtown Lexington in 1828. Racing was held at the track until its demise more than a century later, in 1933.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. 38° 2.51′ N, 84° 29.443′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker
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can be reached from the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 60) and Midland Avenue (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling west. Located in Thoroughbred Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Midland Avenue, Lexington KY 40508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,345 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 23, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.