Mayor celebrates 175th birthday of Lexington, the racehorse
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
His name was Lexington, named for his hometown. For 20 years he held the title as the fastest horse in the world, an endurance horse with limitless power who could run the equine equivalent of a sprint marathon.
As a sire, he was even more amazing. Lexington left a powerful lineage, filled with champions. He was the most dominant horse of his day, and passed those genes down to a phenomenal line of winners, including War Admiral, Citation, Secretariat, Affirmed, and Justify. Lexington lived from 1850-1875 at the Meadows Farm, once located inside Lexington’s city limits.
“We have a very long, famous history in the thoroughbred history in Lexington, and this horse is one reason why,” Mayor Linda Gorton said today. “We are excited to celebrate the 175th birthdate of a horse that helped make Lexington the Horse Capital of the World.”
Horse racing has a storied history in Lexington. The first track in Lexington, and in all of Kentucky, opened in Lexington in 1789.
Today, horses continue to have an enormous impact on the local economy. Agriculture currently accounts for 1 in 12 jobs, and adds $2.3 billion to the Lexington economy each year. Lexington’s booming tourism industry, which also creates thousands of jobs, is centered around horses. In 2023, the economic impact of travel and tourism in Fayette County was a record $1.6 billion.
Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX, said it’s hard to imagine a Thoroughbred that has had a more profound impact on our community than the great Thoroughbred Lexington.
“As a racehorse and as a stud, Lexington not only broke records; he laid the foundation for Lexington’s modern-day recognition as Horse Capital of the World,” Ramer said. “Inspired by Lexington, VisitLEX’s beloved blue icon — Big Lex — honors the great Thoroughbred’s legacy, and warmly welcomes visitors to our city.”
Lexington’s descendants are known for a long history of winning. Lexington sired four winners of the Belmont Stakes in General Duke (1868), Kingfisher (1870), Harry Bassett (1871) and Duke of Magenta (1878). The Belmont Stakes is the traditional third and final leg of the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown of horse racing is considered one of the most difficult accomplishments in horse racing, and possibly all of sports championships.
Tapit, who now stands at Gainesway Farm, a descendant of Lexington, has equaled Lexington’s feat, also siring four Belmont winners, Essential Quality (2022), Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016), and Tapwrit (2017).
Gorton visited Tapit at Gainesway today in honor of the 175th anniversary of his birth and as part of the celebration of the community’s 250th anniversary. Lexington is home to approximately 450 horse farms, including many, like Gainesway, that are world renown.
Stallion Director at Gainesway Farm Ryan Norton said, “It a testament to Tapit’s success that he shares a record with the storied Lexington of having sired four Belmont winners. It shows how Lexington’s influence in the modern day thoroughbred is still be realized.”
Tapit is recognized as one of the most influential and breed-shaping stallions of the past half-century. He has sired 32 Grade 1 winners, 40 yearlings that each brought $1 million or more at auction, and earners of over $214 million on the racetrack, the most progeny earnings of any North American sire ever.
Gainesway Farm is home to 1,500 acres of the finest land in the Bluegrass, and has been home to some of the most influential Thoroughbreds of all time. Today, the farm includes the former Greentree Stud and Whitney Farm – known as some as the most productive ground in Thoroughbred history.
News release provided by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/mayor-celebrates-175th-birthday-lexington-racehorse
