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

Warren Wright, Sr.

1875 - 1950

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 11, 2012

1. Warren Wright, Sr. Marker

Inscription. The name of the family company of the Wrights was Calumet Baking Powder and Warren Wright, Sr. would also make that name synonymous with Thoroughbred breeding and racing. In 1913 Wright took over operation of the Chicago company from his father and guided it so successfully that Calumet Baking Powder was sold for $40 million in 1928. After his father, William Monroe Wright, died in 1931, Warren converted his Lexington farm from Standardbreds to Thoroughbreds. In the final two decades of his life, Calumet would become the jewel of the Bluegrass and the dominant American stable. With Ben A. Jones as his trainer and Bull Lea as his primary stallion, Wright bred and raced winners of six Horse-of-the-year titles in the 1940s alone. Calumet's Triple Crown winners, Whirlaway and Citation, were two of the most famous and beloved of American Thoroughbreds. Wright won four Kentucky Derbys and, after his death, his widow (who married Adm. Gene Markey)continued the tradition until Calumet Farm had seen a record total of eight winners in its famed devil's red and blue colors. The Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center at the University

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of Kentucky was named for the former Mrs. Wright.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 38° 2.52′ N, 84° 29.433′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George M. Humphrey (here, next to this marker); A. B. Hancock Sr. (here, next to this

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 11, 2012

2. Warren Wright, Sr. Marker

marker); John D. Hertz (here, next to this marker); George D. Widener (here, next to this marker); Daniel Swigert (a few steps from this marker); William Woodward, Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Isabel Dodge Sloane (a few steps from this marker); Elizabeth Arden Graham (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.