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

Harry Payne Whitney

1872 - 1930

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 12, 2012

1. Harry Payne Whitney Marker

Inscription. The stamp affixed on Thoroughbred racing by William Collins Whitney and his son Harry Payne Whitney remains indelible. It was W. C. Whitney who poured funding into revitalization of Saratoga, the charming old Victorian race track still operating in upstate New York. Secretary of the Navy under Grover Cleveland and founder of the New York utilities giant now known as Con Ed, W. C. Whitney was racing's leading owner three times before his death in 1904. Son Harry Payne Whitney, already a race horse owner and international polo figure, thereafter increased his own stable. He established handsome farms in New Jersey and in Lexington and led America's owners and breeders lists a total of seventeen times. He bred 192 stakes winners, a record until surpassed by Canadian E. P. Taylor of Windfields Farm. Harry Payne Whitney had a profound influence on Kentucky racing when he sent Regret from the East to the Kentucky Derby in 1915. The champion filly's victory in the Derby helped transform the race from a regional affair into an event of national acclaim.

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

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Animals • Entertainment • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #22 and #24 Grover Cleveland series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 38° 2.508′ N, 84° 29.394′ 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: Capt. Harry Guggenheim (here, next to this marker); John W. Galbreath (here, next to this marker); Mrs. Henry Carnegie Phipps

Photographed by Ken Smith, July 12, 2012

2. Harry Payne Whitney Marker

(here, next to this marker); Samuel D. Riddle (a few steps from this marker); William T. Young (a few steps from this marker); Col. Phil T. Chinn (a few steps from this marker); Sam Hildreth (a few steps from this marker); Allen Paulson (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 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 20 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.