The Origins of the Preakness Stakes

The 2016 Preakness Stakes will run this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, and it looks to be a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and runner-up Exaggerator. Although the race is known as the second jewel of the Triple Crown, it was not created for that particular reason. The race was named for a horse who suffered an unfortunate ending, but also changed the well-being of many other animals.

In Wayne Township, New Jersey, Milton Holbrook Sandford’s farm sat on the corner of Valley Road and Preakness Avenue. It was there Sandford built up his string of racehorses with Preakness Stables, but there was one horse Sandford particularly cared for.

Sandford purchased one of his most prized horses in 1868 as a yearling, a dark bay colt sired by Lexington. Preakness, as the horse was named, made his first start in the 1870 Dinner Plate Stakes. The race was part of the Maryland Jockey Club’s first meet at Pimlico Race Course. Preakness ran the two miles in 3:14 ½ and crossed the wire one length in front of the two race favorites.

Preakness raced nineteen times during his career, winning nine of those races, finishing second six times, and third twice. His last race in the United States was the 1875 Saratoga Cup. Sandford’s horse ran to the front along with Springbrook, who had beat Preakness in the previous year’s race by a nose, and the two horses stayed there throughout the two and one-half miles distance. Preakness and Springbrook crossed the finish line together to finish in a dead heat.

The fall of 1875, Sandford shipped a string of horses, including Preakness, to England for spring races. There Preakness won the Brighton Cup and Sandford offered his beloved horse at auction.

It was the Duke of Hamilton who took over ownership. The Duke sent Preakness to stud, where Preakness showed his wild temperament. Being a hot-head himself, the Duke was angered with Preakness’s behavior and shot the horse in his stall, causing Preakness’s untimely death.

The manners of the Duke created a push in England to reform laws regarding the treatment of horses and other animals. Though the Duke’s actions were barbaric, other horses received better care thanks to Preakness.

After hearing what happened to his ill-fated Preakness, Sandford gave Preakness’s Dinner Plate trophy to the Maryland Jockey Club for the creation of a new race in his horse’s honor. This year will be the 141st running.

By Christine Oser