Runnymede Farm

Runnymede Farm is an American horse breeding farm located outside Paris, Kentucky on U.S. Route 27, the Paris-Cynthiana Road. It is said to be the longest continuously running Thoroughbred horse farm in Kentucky, 365-acre (1.48 km2) established in 1867 by American Civil War Colonel Ezekiel Field Clay.[1]

Runnymede Farm
TypeHorse breeding
IndustryThoroughbred Horse racing
Founded1867
HeadquartersParis, Kentucky, United States
Key people
Founder: Ezekiel F. Clay
Current owner:
Catesby Woodford Clay
Websitewww.runnymedefarmky.com

Colonel Ezekiel Clay (1840–1920), whose father, Brutus J. Clay, was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives and the United States House of Representatives and a breeder of Thoroughbreds and champion cattle. He was a nephew of abolitionist Cassius Clay and a cousin to Henry Clay.

Ezekiel Clay & Catesby Woodford breeding partnership

In the early part of the 1870s Ezekiel Clay formed what became a successful partnership with Catesby Woodford (d. age 74 in 1923) who owned the neighbouring Raceland Farm. Woodford was a wealthy Paris, Kentucky distiller who became President of the Race Horse Owners' and Trainers' Association and whose New York Times obituary said "was regarded as the dean of Kentucky sportsmen."

Both the partnership and Clay's Runnymede operation produced a number of top line horses. U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductees Miss Woodford, Hanover, Ben Brush, and Roamer were bred at Runnymede Farm. As well, the farm has bred:

Today, Runnymede Farm is owned by Catesby Woodford Clay, a grandson of founder, Ezekiel Clay.

References

  1. Tom Eblen (December 2, 2016), "Go behind the gates of Kentucky's oldest horse farm as it turns 150", Lexington Herald-Leader
  2. "Lady Eli is First BC Starter for New Owners". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
Further reading

38.2477°N 84.2871°W / 38.2477; -84.2871

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