One of the most significant collections of American Thoroughbred racing trophies in the sport's history–the Whitney family collection–has been bequeathed to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame by the late John Hendrickson, the institution's former chairman who unexpectedly passed away in August 2024, according to a press release from the repository on Wednesday.
The collection is comprised of more than 400 trophies– including eight Triple Crown race trophies won by Whitney family-owned runners–as well as numerous prizes commemorating important victories by Hall of Fame inductees Equipoise, Regret, Silver Spoon, Top Flight, and Whisk Broom II.
The collection includes trophies won by horses owned by William Collins Whitney, Harry Payne Whitney, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, and Marylou Whitney, who was Hendrickson's late wife.
“The Whitney family's legacy in American racing spans more than 125 years and is nothing short of exceptional,” said Charlotte Weber, the museum's chair. “The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is honored to receive such an important collection that represents the grand history of a wonderful family's unwavering multi-generational commitment to Thoroughbred racing and their remarkable achievements in the game. We look forward to being a steward of this wonderful gift and sharing these historic treasures with the public.”
The oldest item in the collection is the 1899 Belmont Stakes trophy, which was won by Jean Bereaud in track-record time at Morris Park for William Collins Whitney, the patriarch of the Whitney racing dynasty. Four additional Belmont Stakes trophies won by Burgomaster (1906), Phalanx (1947), Counterpoint (1951), and Birdstone (Grindstone) (2004) are also part of the donation.
The Whitney gift features the Kentucky Derby trophies won by Regret (1915) and Whiskery (1927). Hall of Famer Regret became the first of three fillies to win the Run for the Roses, prompting the Louisville Courier-Journal to report: ” … never shall we forget her gorgeous appearance on that memorable afternoon in May at Churchill Downs as she was led around the paddock before the race and later, when, with colors up, she stepped out on the course looking every inch a queen … receiving an ovation of which even royalty might well have been proud. Peerless Regret she was hailed and peerless she undoubtedly was, and from this day, she must be thought of with this descriptive adjective affixed.”
The Harry Payne Whitney-owned Broomspun (1921), Bostonian (1927), and Victorian (1928) each won the Preakness during the 1920s, and those victories are recognized in a singular Woodlawn Vase trophy honoring the three horses.
Regret's 1914 Saratoga Special trophy | courtesy of the NMRHOF
Other highlights include Ashland Stakes trophies won by You All (1971) and Sun and Snow (1975); Blue Grass Stakes trophies won by Mr. Trouble (1950) and Tompion (1960); Futurity Stakes trophies won by Top Flight (1931) and First Flight (1946); Jockey Club Gold Cup trophies won by Phalanx (1947) and Counterpoint (1951); Kentucky Oaks trophies won by Bug Brush (1958), Bag of Tunes (1973), Sun and Snow (1975), and Bird Town (2003); Santa Anita Derby trophies won by Silver Spoon (1959) and Tompion (1960); Santa Margarita Stakes trophies won by Monsoon (1947), Bug Brush (1959), and Silver Spoon (1960); Saratoga Special trophies won by Regret (1914), Goshawk (1922), Whichone (1929), Red Rain (1935), and Banquet Table (1976); Travers Stakes trophies won by Fisherman (1954), Tompion (1960), Chompion (1968), and Birdstone (2004).
The donation also includes the Metropolitan, Brooklyn, and Suburban handicap trophies won by Whisk Broom II in 1913, when he became the first horse to sweep the New York Handicap Triple Crown. After completing the sweep of the series under 139 pounds in the Suburban, the Thoroughbred Record said of Whisk Broom II: “It was a test of speed, courage, and stamina, and he answered each of the questions. … He was a master of his company.”
Selections from the Whitney trophy collection will be on display in the Museum's McBean Gallery through Dec. 28. A formal exhibition of the collection will be presented in 2027, coinciding with the 100th running of the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Whitney family trophy collection selected highlights:
- Kentucky Derby–1915, 1927
- Preakness Stakes–1921, 1927, 1928 (single trophy)
- Belmont Stakes–1899, 1906, 1947, 1951, 2004
- Ashland Stakes–1971, 1975
- Blue Grass Stakes–1950, 1960
- Futurity Stakes–1931, 1946
- Jockey Club Gold Cup–1947, 1951
- Kentucky Oaks–1958, 1973, 1975, 2003
- Santa Anita Derby–1959, 1960
- Santa Margarita Stakes–1947, 1959, 1960
- Saratoga Special Stakes–1914, 1922, 1929, 1935, 1976
- Travers Stakes–1954, 1960, 1968, 2004
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