Lexington and Darley: One of a Kind

Lexington was bred by Dr. Elisha Warfield, who was one of the iconic 19th century's racing and breeding figures. Dr. Elisha Warfield was also the founder of the Kentucky Association Track, right near Warfield's farm, The Meadows. The Kentucky Association Track is long gone, but the vestiges of the Meadows is still in downtown Lexington.

      Dr. Elisha Warfield bred a very good looking, yet small, two year old by Boston. The pretty bay colt's name was being contemplated, until Warfield spotted a picture of Darley's Arabian. According to Warfield and many, "Darley" had a strong resemblence to Darley's Arabian. Therefore, the bay colt was named Darley.

    "Darley" had a wonderful pedigree. He was by Boston, from a top racemare named Alice Carneal, inbred to champion Diomed, and was from the famous Byerley Turk line. Would his talent match his pedigree? 

    In his first start on May 23, 1853 of his three year old season, Darley contested the Association Stakes over mile heats. The track was muddy; which several entrants of the field did not care for, and Darley led wire-to-wire in the first heat, as he did in the second; leaving a tremendous first impression on horsemen.

   After his first start, Richard Ten Broeck purchased this colt with a syndicate, days before the Citizens' Stakes over two mile heats. Darley lost the first heat to another Boston offspring; a filly named Midway. However, Darley won the next two heats to claim victory in the Citizens' Stakes.

    His new ownership consisted of many of Kentucky's top breeders and horsemen, including Captain Viley, who took over the management of the colt. The soon to be Lexington, Darley, was transfered to John Pryor's farm.

    This is where Darley was renamed Lexington. There was a bit of speculation surrounding this young, talented racehorse. Was he worth the hype? He broke into a corn store (feel free to laugh your ass off) in his first month or so in Lexington, which delayed his second start. The connections were worried he would not be ready for match with a filly named Sallie Waters.

    On December 2nd of 1853, the renamed Lexington was entered to run against Sallie Waters. Despite the worriedsome owners and trainer, Lexington was ready, healthy, willing and fit. He swept Sallie Waters, but more importantly, he trounced her in the second heat, leaving no doubt that he was a talented racehorse.

    Anyone ever heard of LeComte? Perhaps you've heard of the Stakes named after him (The LeComte Stakes at Fair Ground, traditonally run for three year old colts going a mile), but very few know of this champion, who was also by Boston. He spent the next four months in training for the Great State Post Stakes on April 1st of 1854, where he would meet his first serious challenger in LeComte over heats of four miles.

    In the first heat, Lexington ran away from the beginning. He led wire-to-wire, leaving LeComte behind in 2nd. In the second heat, Lexington rallied in the final mile, beating LeComte, who yet again finished 2nd.

    As mentioned before, this hyped four year old Lexington was owned by several of the top breeders in Kentucky. Many of them wanted to retire him and send him to a rich life at stud. However, Richard Ten Broeck thought differently. The disagreement between the iconic breeders led to Ten Broeck buying out the other owners for an outstanding price of $5,000.

    Just a week later, he was set for another match with LeComte, in the Jockey Club Purse ran over four mile heats. LeComte beat him without urging and in the mix of it broke the record for four miles at 7:26. LeComte won the second heat with equal authority.

    Coming back about a year later, on April 2nd of 1855, Lexington ran over four mile heats in low company, with LeComte amiss. Lexington actually broke LeComte's four mile record, as he won the four mile heat in an incredible 7:19.

    Finally, in the rubber match of possibly the Sport of King's greatest rivalry, Lexington was set to face LeComte once again. Perhaps this was not a fair match, as LeComte was still recovering from a bout of colic, Lexington destroyed him and won easily. LeComte, unfortunately, forfeited the next heat, giving Lexington the victory.

    That was the final race of the great champion's career. He won six of seven starts and won over $56,000. There was nothing more for him to prove; it was already discovered he was the best racehorse in the country, he beat the best, he dominated, he had stamina, he had incredible speed, class and heart. The beautiful bay colt's farewell rumored was due because he was becoming blind, much like his sire, Boston, did.

    If you thought his racing career was great, you might not believe how good Lexington was at stud. He was America's leading sire 15 times. From 1861-1874 and again in 1876 and 1878. In his first crop, he sired Idlewind and some other notable good horses. His best crop, undoubtably, was in 1864. Asteroid, Kentucky and Norfolk were some that you might know of.

    I've mentioned one of my favorite racehorses of all time, Duke of Magenta, was also sired by Lexington. Lexington also threw out champions like Harry Bassett, Preakness, Tom Ochiltree, Chesapeake, General Duke, and some others. This is mainly off memory (his offspring) and I'm sure I'm forgetting some other champions.

    Lexington's sons served very useful at stud. Duke of Magenta, War Dance, Vauxhall, Pat Malloy, Kentucky, Kingfisher, Lever,  and Unca all sired champion or classic winners (source: tbheritage.com). However, according to the four sources I have been using through this two day quest to inform other readers on this site of the great Lexington based by an article, while these foals by Lexington sired good horses, none even came close to matching Lexington's stallion status, if you will.

    His daughters, however, were incredible in the breeding shed, as they produced many top notch horses. "producing the likes of Salvator, Spendthrift, Ten Broeck, Hindoo, Aristides, Luke Blackburn, Los Angeles, Sensation, Olitipa, Parole, Wanda and many others." according to tbheritage.com. I am sure many of the readers on this brilliant website are aware of Spendthrift, Ten Broeck, Hindoo and Arstides of their accomplishments.

    Lexington was the leading sire 15 times, which is unheard of. Despite the sons not being as capable as him, he was a sire of sires. He was undoubtably, from what I've researched, one of the best broodmare sires of all time, and of course, he had an amazing racing career. Lexington, in my honest opinion, is one of the best all around horses of all time.

    Over the course of the past four days, I have been attempting to advance my knowledge in the history of this game, but after two days, I researched and read about Lexington. Of course, I knew of Lexington, but I learned some incredible new facts about him. I've always known about his success as a sire and a racehorse, but I honestly didn't know how amazing he was as a racehorse, as well. I hope I helped y'all learn some new facts about Lexington, as I have.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

-Ed S. (a.k.a Rafirox)

Sources: tbheritage.com, wikipedia.org, prior knowledge of Lexington, and a couple of old racing books I have.