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

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt

1912 - 1999

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 12, 2012

1. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Marker

Inscription. Son of a sporting coachman, who went down on the Lusitania, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt took over his family's Sagamore Farm in Maryland after his 21st birthday in 1933. He soon purchased Discovery, which campaigned across the country for several years as one of America's most rugged Thoroughbred champions. Vanderbilt also was drawn into race track management. Pimlico Race Course, and its Preakness Stakes, prospered under his presidency, and Vanderbilt had two stints as president of New York tracks. After service in the Pacific as a P-T boat commander, Vanderbilt continued breeding and racing and turned out a series of champions including Next Move, Bed 'o Roses, and Native Dancer. Bred at Dan Scott farm outside Lexington, Vanderbilt's "Gray Ghost" Native Dancer was the nation's first Thoroughbred television idol. He won 21 of 22 races from 1952-54, his only loss being an upset by Dark Star in the Kentucky Derby. As sire of Raise a Native and grandsire of Northern Dancer, the gray champion became internationally predominant in Thoroughbred pedigrees.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals

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• Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 38° 2.517′ N, 84° 29.409′ 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: Lucille Parker Markey (here, next to this marker); HRM Queen Elizabeth II (a few steps from this marker); Ogden Phipps (a few steps from this marker); C. V. Whitney (a few steps from this marker); Robert J. Kleberg, Jr.

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 12, 2012

2. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Allen Paulson (a few steps from this marker); Leslie Combs II (a few steps from this marker); Col. Phil T. Chinn (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 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 870 times since then and 29 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.