Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Lucille Parker Markey
1897 - 1982
Photographed By Ken Smith, July 12, 2012
1. Lucille Parker Markey Marker
Inscription.
Lucille Parker Markey. From 1924 until her death, Maysville, Kentucky, native Mrs. Lucille Parker Markey was the lady of Calumet Farm. First as the young bride of Calumet heir Warren Wright Sr. and then as the wife of Hollywood writer Admiral Gene Markey, she lived the glory of the Lexington farm and its racing stable. After Wright's death in 1950, she continued the operation which already had bred and raced Triple Crown winners Whirlaway and Citation. Under her guidance, Calumet was America's leading breeder eight times and leading owner five times. Mrs. Markey added Kentucky Derby winners Hill Gail, Iron Liege, Tim Tam, and Forward Pass, bringing to eight the farm's unmatched record of Derby winners owned. After a downturn, Mrs. Markey rebounded in the late 1970s and early 1980s with filly champions Davona Dale, Our Mims, and Before Dawn and the distinguished runner and sire Alydar. The Markeys' lifestyle embraced Europe, Florida, and Saratoga, and Mrs. Markey's philanthropy was instrumental in establishing the Lucille Parker Markey cancer center at the University of Kentucky.
From 1924 until her death, Maysville, Kentucky, native Mrs. Lucille Parker Markey was the lady of Calumet Farm. First as the young bride of Calumet heir Warren Wright Sr. and then as the wife of Hollywood writer Admiral Gene Markey, she lived the glory of the Lexington farm and its racing stable. After Wright's death in 1950, she continued the operation which already had bred and raced Triple Crown winners Whirlaway and Citation. Under her guidance, Calumet was America's leading breeder eight times and leading owner five times. Mrs. Markey added Kentucky Derby winners Hill Gail, Iron Liege, Tim Tam, and Forward Pass, bringing to eight the farm's unmatched record of Derby winners owned. After a downturn, Mrs. Markey rebounded in the late 1970s and early 1980s with filly champions Davona Dale, Our Mims, and Before Dawn and the distinguished runner and sire Alydar. The Markeys' lifestyle embraced Europe, Florida, and Saratoga, and Mrs. Markey's philanthropy was instrumental in establishing the Lucille Parker Markey cancer center at the University of Kentucky.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 38° 2.516′ N, 84° 29.405′ W. Marker is in Lexington
Click or scan to see this page online
, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker 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 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 22 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.
