Triple Crown Stakes ~ Eaglesfield Percherons Honors its First Winner

Sir Barton (1916-1937)

First Triple Crown Winner - 1919

Jockey:  Johnny Loftus

Trainer: H. Guy Bedwell

Owner: J.K.L. Ross

Breeder:  John E. Madden & Vivian A. Gooch 

Hamburg Place Farm, Kentucky

Sir Barton, a chestnut thoroughbred colt, was the first winner of what would be come to be known as the American Triple Crown.  Bred in Kentucky, Owner/Breeder Madden entered the horse in six races while he was a two-year old and won nothing.  Madden sold the horse in 1918 for $10,000 to Canadian businessman, J.K.L. Ross (only son of James L. Ross of the Canadian Pacific Railway), who placed the colt in the hands of team Bedwell and Loftus.  Sir Barton led the field of 12 horses from start to finish as a three-year-old at the Kentucky Derby by five lengths.

FOUR days later, Sir Barton led the way in Baltimore at the Preakness Stakes, from start to finish, and won by four lengths.

Sir Barton & Johnny Loftus (1919)

Next up was the Withers Stakes in New York which preceded the Belmont, and Sir Barton won them all in a mere 32 days.

As a four-year-old, Sir Barton won 5 of 12 in 1920.  It was the match of all matches on October 12, 1920, running against Man o' War at Kenilworth Park in Windsor, Ontario, Canada that is most remembered.   Sir Barton's hoof ailments deemed him unsuited by Kenilworth's hard surface and he was beaten by seven lengths.  Sir Barton was retired to stud in 1921 at Audley Farm in Berryville, Virginia.

Audley Farm Stallion Barn

Berryville, Virginia

Artist:  Jan Woods

Following his stallion days at Audley, Sir Barton went on to serve as a US Army Remount stallion.  This service procured and trained horses and mules for military use as the function of the Quartermaster Corps from 1775 to 1957.  After serving his country, Sir Barton was transported to Wyoming to live out his days until 1937.

Sir Barton, we salute you for a job and life well done.

Good luck to our reader's choice on the horse you are betting on to win.  

If you lose, don't be mad -- just be glad that you weren't Madden!