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{{Short description|Thoroughbred racing and breeding operation}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Calumet Farm
| name = Calumet Farm
| logo = Calumet farm 2012.jpeg
| image = Calumet farm 2012.jpeg
| caption = Stables at Calumet Farm, January 2012
| image_caption = Stables at Calumet Farm, January 2012
| type = [[Horse breeding]] [[farm]] and<br>[[Thoroughbred horse race|Thoroughbred racing]] [[stable]]
| type = [[Horse breeding]] [[farm]] and<br />[[Thoroughbred horse race|Thoroughbred racing]] [[stable]]
| predecessor =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| successor =
| foundation =
| foundation =
| location = [[Lexington, Kentucky]]
| location = [[Lexington, Kentucky]]
| divisions =
| divisions =
| key_people = {{unbulleted list
| key_people = {{unbulleted list
| William Monroe Wright<br>founding owner (1924–1932)
| William Monroe Wright<br />founding owner (1924–1932)
| [[Warren Wright, Sr.]]<br>(owner 1932–1950)
| [[Warren Wright, Sr.]]<br />(owner 1932–1950)
| [[Lucille Parker Wright Markey]]<br>(owner 1950–1982)
| [[Lucille Parker Wright Markey]]<br />(owner 1950–1982)
| Bertha Wright, Lucille Wright Lundy, Courtenay Wright Lancaster, Warren Wright III, and Thomas C. Wright<br>(owners 1982–1992)<br> J.T. Lundy, president (1982-1992)
| Bertha Wright, Lucille Wright Lundy, Courtenay Wright Lancaster, Warren Wright III, and Thomas C. Wright<br />(owners 1982–1992)<br /> J. T. Lundy, president (1982&ndash;1992)
| [[Henryk de Kwiatkowski]]<br>owner (1992–2003)
| [[Henryk de Kwiatkowski]]<br />owner (1992–2003)
| de Kwiatkowski Trust<br> (owner 2003-2012)
| de Kwiatkowski Trust<br /> (owner 2003&ndash;2012)
| Calumet Investment Group<br>owner 2012-present
| Calumet Investment Group<br />owner 2012&ndash;present
| [[Brad M. Kelley]], lessee<ref>http://calumetfarm.com/history</ref><ref>http://www2.kyeb.uscourts.gov/opin/leeopin/Wright,%20Bertha%2093-5050%201-23-95.html</ref>
| [[Brad M. Kelley]], lessee<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://calumetfarm.com/history | title=Our History |website=Calumet Farm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=US Bankruptcy Court, Eastern district of Kentucky, re Bertha C. Wright case No. 93-50224 |url=http://www2.kyeb.uscourts.gov/opin/leeopin/Wright,%20Bertha%2093-5050%201-23-95.html}}</ref>
}}
}}
| industry = [[Thoroughbred]] [[horse racing]]
| industry = [[Thoroughbred]] [[horse racing]]
| defunct =
| defunct =
| homepage =
| homepage =
}}
}}
{{Sidebar|navbar=off
{{Sidebar|navbar=off
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| content1 = [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder]] (1990)
| content1 = [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder]] (1990)
}}
}}
'''Calumet Farm''' is a {{convert|762|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Thoroughbred]] breeding and training farm established in 1924 in [[Lexington, Kentucky]], [[United States]] by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the [[Calumet Baking Powder Company]]. Calumet is located in the heart of the [[Bluegrass region|Bluegrass]], a well-known horse breeding region. Calumet Farm has a record history of Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winners and throughout its history of over 87 years, it has produced some of the greatest Thoroughbred horses of all time.
'''Calumet Farm''' is a {{convert|762|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Thoroughbred]] breeding and training farm established in 1924 in [[Lexington, Kentucky]], [[United States]] by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the [[Calumet Baking Powder Company]]. Calumet is located in the heart of the [[Bluegrass region|Bluegrass]], a well-known horse breeding region. Calumet Farm has a record history of Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winners and 11 horses in the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]].


==History==
== Horses ==
⚫
Though Calumet was initially based in [[Libertyville, Illinois]], the more favorable climate of Kentucky made it a better place for a horse farm and led to W. M. Wright acquiring the land and relocating his [[Standardbred]] breeding operation. At a time in American history when [[harness racing]] was the most popular type of [[horse racing]], in 1931 the farm's [[trotting horse|trotter]] "Calumet Butler" won the most prestigious event of the day, the [[Hambletonian Stakes|Hambletonian]].<ref>{{cite web|author=William F. Reed |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140619/index.htm |title=The Bluegrass breeding ground of nine Kentucky Derby - 09.02.91 - SI Vault |publisher=Sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=1991-09-02 |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref>


⚫
Calumet Farm has produced ten [[Kentucky Derby]] winners, more than any other operation. The farm is also the leading breeder and owner of [[Preakness Stakes]] winners, with seven each. Two of the farm's [[horse|colt]]s have won the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U.S. Triple Crown]] and three females the Triple Crown for [[filly|fillies]].
⚫
Following the death of W. M. Wright, in 1932 his son [[Warren Wright, Sr.]] took over the business and began converting it to Thoroughbred breeding and training. His acquisition of quality breeding stock saw Calumet Farm develop into one of [[North America]]'s most successful stables in Thoroughbred racing history. Calumet Farm was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1991.<ref name="macmillan1">{{cite web|author=Anne Hagedorn Auerbach |url=http://us.macmillan.com/wildride/AnneAuerbach |title=Wild Ride &#124; Anne Hagedorn Auerbach &#124; Macmillan |publisher=Us.macmillan.com |date= |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref> The [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] named its baggage car #5868 the "Calumet Farm".<ref>[http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2D4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3713,5468353&dq=chance+play+calumet&hl=en June 27, 1948 ''Milwaukee Journal'' article on Calumet Farm]</ref>


Calumet Farm's winners of the [[Kentucky Derby]] are: [[Whirlaway]] (1941), [[Pensive]] (1944), [[Citation (horse)|Citation]] (1948), [[Ponder (horse)|Ponder]] (sired by Pensive - 1949), [[Hill Gail]] (1952), [[Iron Liege]] (1957), [[Tim Tam (horse)|Tim Tam]] (1958), [[Forward Pass (horse)|Forward Pass]] (1968 by DQ), [[Strike the Gold]] (1991) and [[Rich Strike]] (2022).<ref name="wtvq">{{cite news |last1=McQueen |first1=Maddie |title=Rich Strike, 10th Kentucky Derby winner bred at Calumet Farm |url=https://www.wtvq.com/rich-strike-10th-kentucky-derby-winner-bred-at-calumet-farm/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |work=ABC 36 News |date=8 May 2022}}</ref> Two of these greats, Whirlaway and Citation, are [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]] champions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drf.com/champions/ |title=Champions: America's Greatest Thoroughbreds &#124; Daily Racing Form |publisher=Drf.com |date=2013-05-20 |access-date=2013-05-31 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110003504/http://www.drf.com/champions/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
The farm's breeding success was notably anchored by a part ownership in [[Blenheim II]], a stallion imported from [[England]], and its Foundation Sire, [[Bull Lea]]. Calumet Farm has produced eight [[Kentucky Derby]] winners, more than any other operation in U.S. racing history. As well, Calumet Farm is both the leading breeder and owner of [[Preakness Stakes]] winners with seven each. From the farm's many great foals, two [[horse|colt]]s also won the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|U.S. Triple Crown]] and three females won the Triple Crown for [[filly|fillies]].


⚫
Eleven of the farm's horses have been inducted into the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/Horses.asp |title=National Museum of Racing, Hall of Fame, Thoroughbred Horses |publisher=Racingmuseum.org |access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref>
⚫
Under Warren Wright, Sr. and his wife [[Lucille P. Markey|Lucille Parker Wright]] who inherited the property on his death in 1950, Calumet was the number one money-earning farm in racing for twelve years. Among the farm's best-known horses are [[Nellie Flag]], [[Armed]], [[Two Lea]], [[Mar-Kell]], [[A Gleam]], [[Twilight Tear]], [[Mark-Ye-Well]], A Glitter, [[Bewitch (horse)|Bewitch]], [[Coaltown]], [[Real Delight]], [[Bardstown (horse)|Bardstown]], [[Our Mims]], [[Davona Dale]], [[Alydar]], and [[Before Dawn (horse)|Before Dawn]].
⚫
[[File:Lexington Kentucky - Calumet Farm (3579042786) (2).jpg|thumb|Gate at Calumet Farm]]
The names of the Calumet Farm official winners of the [[Kentucky Derby]], and the years they won, are: [[Whirlaway]] (1941), [[Pensive]] (1944), [[Citation (horse)|Citation]] (1948), [[Ponder (horse)|Ponder]] (sired by Pensive - 1949), [[Hill Gail]] (1952), [[Iron Liege]] (1957), [[Tim Tam (horse)|Tim Tam]] (1958), [[Forward Pass (horse)|Forward Pass]] (1968 by DQ). <br>
⚫
Two of these greats, ([[Whirlaway]] (1941) and [[Citation (horse)|Citation]] (1948)) are the [[United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]] champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drf.com/champions/ |title=Champions: America's Greatest Thoroughbreds &#124; Daily Racing Form |publisher=Drf.com |date=2013-05-20 |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref> In all, the farm produced eleven horses that have been inducted into the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/Horses.asp |title=National Museum of Racing, Hall of Fame, Thoroughbred Horses |publisher=Racingmuseum.org |date= |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref>


⚫
Other well-known horses include [[Nellie Flag]], [[Armed]], [[Two Lea]], [[Mar-Kell]], [[A Gleam]], [[Twilight Tear]], [[Mark-Ye-Well]], A Glitter, [[Bewitch (horse)|Bewitch]], [[Coaltown]], [[Real Delight]], [[Bardstown (horse)|Bardstown]], [[Our Mims]], [[Davona Dale]], [[Alydar]], and [[Before Dawn (horse)|Before Dawn]].
⚫
Lucille Wright died in 1982 and according to the terms of her husband's will, the farm went to the heirs of their only child Warren Wright, Jr. (1920–1978). Son-in-law John Thomas Lundy (J.T.), married to Lucille "Cindy" Wright, took over as head of operations and president.<ref name="macmillan1"/>


==History==
⚫
Calumet Farm won the 1990 [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder]]. In November of that year, details surrounding the death of 15-year-old [[Alydar]] - America's leading sire of the time - and the collection of a $36 million insurance policy brought a cloud of suspicion over the business. Under Calumet president J.T. Lundy, mismanagement and fraud had left the farm with a massive debt load that led Calumet Farms to file for [[bankruptcy]] protection in 1991 as they were losing one million dollars a month.<ref name=SI>{{cite news|title=Questions About Alydar|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004484/index.htm|accessdate=January 5, 2013|newspaper=Sports Illustrated|date=November 16, 1992|author=William Nack|author2=Lester Munson}}</ref> After years of legal proceedings, in 2000, J.T. Lundy along with Gary Matthews, the farm's former [[lawyer|attorney]] and chief financial officer, were convicted of fraud and bribery and sent to prison.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20021213191905/www.texasmonthly.com/mag/issues/2001-06-01/feature4.php June 2001 Texas Monthly article titled ''The Killing of Alydar'' by Skip Hollandsworth]</ref>


⚫
[[File:Lexington Kentucky - Calumet Farm (3579042786) (2).jpg|thumb|Gate at Calumet Farm]]
{{multiple image | width = 110 | header = Calumet's racing silks| direction = horizontal |align=right
|image1=Owner Calumet Farm original.svg |alt1=Red jacket with blue stripes on arms, blue collar and blue helmet |caption1=Historic "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet farm, sold to a Brazilian investment group in 1992
{{multiple image | width = 110 | header =Calumet's racing silks| direction = horizontal |align=right
|image1=Owner Calumet Farm original.svg |alt1=Red jacket with blue stripes on arms, blue collar and blue helmet |caption1=Historic "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet farm, sold to a Brazilian investment group in 1992
|image2=Owner Bluegrass Hall Llc.svg |alt2=Black with gold chevron |caption2=Brad Kelley's Bluegrass Hill silks are now used by Calumet race horses
|image2=Owner Bluegrass Hall Llc.svg |alt2=Black with gold chevron |caption2=Brad Kelley's Bluegrass Hill silks are now used by Calumet race horses
}}
}}
⚫
Founded in [[Libertyville, Illinois]], the [[Standardbred]] breeding operation was moved to the more favorable climate of Kentucky by W. M. Wright. At a time when [[harness racing]] was the most popular type of [[horse racing]], in 1931 the farm's [[trotting horse|trotter]] "Calumet Butler" won the most prestigious event of the day, the [[Hambletonian Stakes|Hambletonian]].<ref>{{cite web|author=William F. Reed |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140619/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914162738/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140619/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |title=The Bluegrass breeding ground of nine Kentucky Derby - 09.02.91 - SI Vault |publisher=Sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=1991-09-02 |access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref>

⚫
After Wright died in 1932, his son [[Warren Wright, Sr.]] took over the business and began converting it to Thoroughbred breeding and training. His acquisition of quality breeding stock saw Calumet Farm develop into one of [[North America]]'s most successful stables in Thoroughbred racing history. Calumet Farm was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1991.<ref name="macmillan1">{{cite web |author=Anne Hagedorn Auerbach |url=http://us.macmillan.com/wildride/AnneAuerbach |title=Wild Ride &#124; Anne Hagedorn Auerbach &#124; Macmillan |publisher=Us.macmillan.com |access-date=2013-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110182656/http://us.macmillan.com/wildride/AnneAuerbach |archive-date=2014-01-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Pennsylvania Railroad]] named its baggage car #5868 the "Calumet Farm".<ref>[https://archive.today/20120718114705/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2D4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3713,5468353&dq=chance+play+calumet&hl=en June 27, 1948 ''Milwaukee Journal'' article on Calumet Farm]</ref>

A key move was acquiring part ownership in [[Blenheim (horse)|Blenheim]], a stallion imported from [[England]], and its foundation sire, [[Bull Lea]].

Under Warren Wright, Sr. and his wife [[Lucille P. Markey|Lucille Parker Wright]], who inherited the property on his death in 1950, Calumet was the top money-earning farm in racing for 12 years.

In 1969, the Keeneland Association honored Calumet Farm with its [[Keeneland Mark of Distinction]] for their contribution to Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/KEEClubPins.pdf |title=Mark of Distinction |publisher=[[Keeneland]]|date=2013-03-20 |access-date=2021-01-06}}</ref>

⚫
Lucille Wright died in 1982 and according to the terms of her first husband's will, the farm went to the heirs of their only child, Warren Wright, Jr. (1920–1978). John Thomas "J.T." Lundy, who married Lucille "Cindy" Wright, took over as head of operations and president.<ref name="macmillan1" />

⚫
Calumet Farm won the 1990 [[Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder]]. In November of that year, details surrounding the death of 15-year-old [[Alydar]]—America's leading sire of the time—and the collection of a $36 million insurance policy—brought a cloud of suspicion over the business. Under Lundy, mismanagement and fraud had left the farm with significant debt that led Calumet Farm to file for [[bankruptcy]] protection in 1991 as they were losing $1 million a month.<ref name="SI">{{cite news|title=Questions About Alydar|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004484/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613200457/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004484/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2012|access-date=January 5, 2013|newspaper=Sports Illustrated|date=November 16, 1992|author=William Nack|author2=Lester Munson}}</ref> After years of legal proceedings, in 2000, Lundy along with Gary Matthews, the farm's former [[lawyer|attorney]] and chief financial officer, were convicted of fraud and bribery and sent to prison.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021213191905/http://www.texasmonthly.com/mag/issues/2001-06-01/feature4.php June 2001 Texas Monthly article titled ''The Killing of Alydar'' by Skip Hollandsworth]</ref>


In 1992, a trust established by [[Henryk de Kwiatkowski]], a [[Poland|Polish]]-born [[Canada|Canadian]] citizen, purchased Calumet Farm, saving it from possible liquidation. Since 1992, the farm has been fully restored to its former beauty.
In 1992, a trust established by [[Henryk de Kwiatkowski]], a [[Poland|Polish]]-born [[Canadians|Canadian]], purchased Calumet Farm, saving it from possible liquidation. Since 1992, the farm has been fully restored to its former beauty.


In 2012, the Calumet Investment Group bought Calumet Farm from the de Kwiatkowski Trust for over $36 million. Calumet Investment Group in turn leased it to [[Brad M. Kelley]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/03/2174559/calumet-farm-sold-for-36m.html |title=Calumet Farm sold for over $36 million |first=Janet |last=Patton |newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |date=May 3, 2012 |accessdate=October 27, 2012}}</ref> believed to be a member of the investment group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clay |first=John |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/05/19/2646138/john-clay-calumets-return-to-racing.html |title=Calumet's return to racing prominence is a welcome one &#124; Horse Racing |newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=May 19, 2013 |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kentuckyderbytours.com/blog/2013/02/07/lucas-and-kelley-to-bring-calumet-farm-back-to-oaklawn-park/ |title=Lucas and Kelley to bring Calumet Farm back to Oaklawn Park &#124; Kentucky Derby Tickets & Tours |publisher=Kentuckyderbytours.com |date=2013-02-07 |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref> Kelley's horses race under the name of Calumet Farm, but they carry Kelley's black and gold [[Jockey#Racing colors|racing colors]], as the original "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet had been sold to a Brazilian investment group.<ref>{{cite web|last=Genaro|first=Teresa|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/teresagenaro/2013/02/22/839/|title=Can Brad Kelley Bring Calumet Farm Back To The Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle? |publisher=[[Forbes]] |date=April 18, 2013 |accessdate=2013-05-19}}</ref> The win of [[Oxbow (horse)|Oxbow]] in the [[2013 Preakness Stakes]] marked the return of Calumet to the winner's circle of a Triple Crown race for the first time since 1968.<ref name=Hall>{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130531/BUSINESS/305310068/Calumet-Farm-s-new-owner-bringing-thoroughbred-farm-back-limelight |author=Hall, Gregory A. | title=Calumet Farm's new owner bringing thoroughbred farm back to limelight |newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]] |date=May 31, 2013 |accessdate=2013-05-31}}</ref>
In 2012, the Calumet Investment Group bought Calumet Farm from the de Kwiatkowski Trust for more than $36 million. Calumet Investment Group in turn leased it to [[Brad M. Kelley]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/03/2174559/calumet-farm-sold-for-36m.html |title=Calumet Farm sold for over $36 million |first=Janet |last=Patton |newspaper=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |date=May 3, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012}}</ref> believed to be a member of the investment group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clay |first=John |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/05/19/2646138/john-clay-calumets-return-to-racing.html |title=Calumet's return to racing prominence is a welcome one &#124; Horse Racing |newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=May 19, 2013 |access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kentuckyderbytours.com/blog/2013/02/07/lucas-and-kelley-to-bring-calumet-farm-back-to-oaklawn-park/ |title=Lucas and Kelley to bring Calumet Farm back to Oaklawn Park &#124; Kentucky Derby Tickets & Tours |publisher=Kentuckyderbytours.com |date=2013-02-07 |access-date=2013-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615211235/http://kentuckyderbytours.com/blog/2013/02/07/lucas-and-kelley-to-bring-calumet-farm-back-to-oaklawn-park/ |archive-date=2013-06-15 }}</ref> Kelley's horses race under the name of Calumet Farm, but they carry Kelley's black and gold [[Jockey#Racing colors|racing colors]], as the original "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet had been sold to a Brazilian investment group.<ref>{{cite web|last=Genaro|first=Teresa|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/teresagenaro/2013/02/22/839/|title=Can Brad Kelley Bring Calumet Farm Back To The Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle? |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 18, 2013 |access-date=2013-05-19}}</ref> The win of [[Oxbow (horse)|Oxbow]] in the [[2013 Preakness Stakes]] marked the return of Calumet to the winner's circle of a Triple Crown race for the first time since 1968.<ref name=Hall>{{cite news|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130531/BUSINESS/305310068/Calumet-Farm-s-new-owner-bringing-thoroughbred-farm-back-limelight |author=Hall, Gregory A. | title=Calumet Farm's new owner bringing thoroughbred farm back to limelight |newspaper=[[The Courier-Journal]] |date=May 31, 2013 |access-date=2013-05-31}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==Further reading==
==Further reading==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{Cite book |last=Auerbach |first=Ann Hagedorn |title=Wild Ride: The Rise and Tragic Fall of Calumet Farm, Inc., America's Premier Racing Dynasty |year=1994 |location=New York |publisher=[[Henry Holt & Co]] |isbn=0-8050-2003-9 }}
*{{Cite book |last=Auerbach |first=Ann Hagedorn |title=Wild Ride: The Rise and Tragic Fall of Calumet Farm, Inc., America's Premier Racing Dynasty |year=1994 |location=New York |publisher=[[Henry Holt & Co]] |isbn=0-8050-2003-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/wildriderisetrag01hage }}


{{Lexington (Kentucky)}}
{{Lexington (Kentucky)}}
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[[Category:American racehorse owners and breeders]]
[[Category:American racehorse owners and breeders]]
[[Category:Owners of Kentucky Derby winners]]
[[Category:Owners of Kentucky Derby winners]]
[[Category:Breeders of Kentucky Derby winners]]
[[Category:Owners of Preakness Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Owners of Preakness Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Breeders of Preakness Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Owners of Belmont Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Owners of Belmont Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Breeders of Belmont Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Owners of U.S. Thoroughbred Triple Crown winners]]
[[Category:Owners of U.S. Thoroughbred Triple Crown winners]]
[[Category:Breeders of U.S. Thoroughbred Triple Crown winners]]
[[Category:Horse farms in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Horse farms in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:Companies based in Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Companies based in Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Kentucky]]

Latest revision as of 21:50, 7 September 2024

Calumet Farm
Company typeHorse breeding farm and
Thoroughbred racing stable
IndustryThoroughbred horse racing
HeadquartersLexington, Kentucky
Key people
  • William Monroe Wright
    founding owner (1924–1932)
  • Warren Wright, Sr.
    (owner 1932–1950)
  • Lucille Parker Wright Markey
    (owner 1950–1982)
  • Bertha Wright, Lucille Wright Lundy, Courtenay Wright Lancaster, Warren Wright III, and Thomas C. Wright
    (owners 1982–1992)
    J. T. Lundy, president (1982–1992)
  • Henryk de Kwiatkowski
    owner (1992–2003)
  • de Kwiatkowski Trust
    (owner 2003–2012)
  • Calumet Investment Group
    owner 2012–present
  • Brad M. Kelley, lessee[1][2]
Honors
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder (1990)

Calumet Farm is a 762-acre (3.08 km2) Thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky, United States by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the Calumet Baking Powder Company. Calumet is located in the heart of the Bluegrass, a well-known horse breeding region. Calumet Farm has a record history of Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown winners and 11 horses in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Horses

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Calumet Farm has produced ten Kentucky Derby winners, more than any other operation. The farm is also the leading breeder and owner of Preakness Stakes winners, with seven each. Two of the farm's colts have won the U.S. Triple Crown and three females the Triple Crown for fillies.

Calumet Farm's winners of the Kentucky Derby are: Whirlaway (1941), Pensive (1944), Citation (1948), Ponder (sired by Pensive - 1949), Hill Gail (1952), Iron Liege (1957), Tim Tam (1958), Forward Pass (1968 by DQ), Strike the Gold (1991) and Rich Strike (2022).[3] Two of these greats, Whirlaway and Citation, are United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing champions.[4]

Eleven of the farm's horses have been inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.[5]

Other well-known horses include Nellie Flag, Armed, Two Lea, Mar-Kell, A Gleam, Twilight Tear, Mark-Ye-Well, A Glitter, Bewitch, Coaltown, Real Delight, Bardstown, Our Mims, Davona Dale, Alydar, and Before Dawn.

History

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Gate at Calumet Farm
Calumet's racing silks
Red jacket with blue stripes on arms, blue collar and blue helmet
Historic "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet farm, sold to a Brazilian investment group in 1992
Black with gold chevron
Brad Kelley's Bluegrass Hill silks are now used by Calumet race horses

Founded in Libertyville, Illinois, the Standardbred breeding operation was moved to the more favorable climate of Kentucky by W. M. Wright. At a time when harness racing was the most popular type of horse racing, in 1931 the farm's trotter "Calumet Butler" won the most prestigious event of the day, the Hambletonian.[6]

After Wright died in 1932, his son Warren Wright, Sr. took over the business and began converting it to Thoroughbred breeding and training. His acquisition of quality breeding stock saw Calumet Farm develop into one of North America's most successful stables in Thoroughbred racing history. Calumet Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.[7] The Pennsylvania Railroad named its baggage car #5868 the "Calumet Farm".[8]

A key move was acquiring part ownership in Blenheim, a stallion imported from England, and its foundation sire, Bull Lea.

Under Warren Wright, Sr. and his wife Lucille Parker Wright, who inherited the property on his death in 1950, Calumet was the top money-earning farm in racing for 12 years.

In 1969, the Keeneland Association honored Calumet Farm with its Keeneland Mark of Distinction for their contribution to Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry.[9]

Lucille Wright died in 1982 and according to the terms of her first husband's will, the farm went to the heirs of their only child, Warren Wright, Jr. (1920–1978). John Thomas "J.T." Lundy, who married Lucille "Cindy" Wright, took over as head of operations and president.[7]

Calumet Farm won the 1990 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Breeder. In November of that year, details surrounding the death of 15-year-old Alydar—America's leading sire of the time—and the collection of a $36 million insurance policy—brought a cloud of suspicion over the business. Under Lundy, mismanagement and fraud had left the farm with significant debt that led Calumet Farm to file for bankruptcy protection in 1991 as they were losing $1 million a month.[10] After years of legal proceedings, in 2000, Lundy along with Gary Matthews, the farm's former attorney and chief financial officer, were convicted of fraud and bribery and sent to prison.[11]

In 1992, a trust established by Henryk de Kwiatkowski, a Polish-born Canadian, purchased Calumet Farm, saving it from possible liquidation. Since 1992, the farm has been fully restored to its former beauty.

In 2012, the Calumet Investment Group bought Calumet Farm from the de Kwiatkowski Trust for more than $36 million. Calumet Investment Group in turn leased it to Brad M. Kelley,[12] believed to be a member of the investment group.[13][14] Kelley's horses race under the name of Calumet Farm, but they carry Kelley's black and gold racing colors, as the original "Devil's Red and Blue" silks of Calumet had been sold to a Brazilian investment group.[15] The win of Oxbow in the 2013 Preakness Stakes marked the return of Calumet to the winner's circle of a Triple Crown race for the first time since 1968.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Our History". Calumet Farm.
  2. ^ "US Bankruptcy Court, Eastern district of Kentucky, re Bertha C. Wright case No. 93-50224".
  3. ^ McQueen, Maddie (May 8, 2022). "Rich Strike, 10th Kentucky Derby winner bred at Calumet Farm". ABC 36 News. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  4. ^ "Champions: America's Greatest Thoroughbreds | Daily Racing Form". Drf.com. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  5. ^ "National Museum of Racing, Hall of Fame, Thoroughbred Horses". Racingmuseum.org. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  6. ^ William F. Reed (September 2, 1991). "The Bluegrass breeding ground of nine Kentucky Derby - 09.02.91 - SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Anne Hagedorn Auerbach. "Wild Ride | Anne Hagedorn Auerbach | Macmillan". Us.macmillan.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  8. ^ June 27, 1948 Milwaukee Journal article on Calumet Farm
  9. ^ "Mark of Distinction" (PDF). Keeneland. March 20, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  10. ^ William Nack; Lester Munson (November 16, 1992). "Questions About Alydar". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  11. ^ June 2001 Texas Monthly article titled The Killing of Alydar by Skip Hollandsworth
  12. ^ Patton, Janet (May 3, 2012). "Calumet Farm sold for over $36 million". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  13. ^ Clay, John (May 19, 2013). "Calumet's return to racing prominence is a welcome one | Horse Racing". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  14. ^ "Lucas and Kelley to bring Calumet Farm back to Oaklawn Park | Kentucky Derby Tickets & Tours". Kentuckyderbytours.com. February 7, 2013. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  15. ^ Genaro, Teresa (April 18, 2013). "Can Brad Kelley Bring Calumet Farm Back To The Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle?". Forbes. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  16. ^ Hall, Gregory A. (May 31, 2013). "Calumet Farm's new owner bringing thoroughbred farm back to limelight". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2013.

Further reading

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calumet Farm.

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