Research Notes for Richard Ten Broeck

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

DIRCK TEN BROECK (113). The youngest child of Dirck Ten Broeck (20) and Margarita Cuyler was born the twenty-sixth of July, Colonel Dirck Ten Broeck 99 1738. He was named for his father, and became a merchant in his native city. He married on November the twenty-fifth, 1761, Ann Douw. There is no record of children, but Richard Ten Broeck, mentioned at the end of the seventh generation, may have been a descendant

PAGE 220 FROM RUNK'S GENEALOGY It seems proper that the name and sketch of Richard Ten Broeck, the noted Kentuckian, should find a place in the records of the family and generation to which he belongs. It has, so far, proved impossible to trace his continuous line of descent, although he wrote thus of himself: My maternal grandfather, Henry Bicker of Philadelphia, was an officer with Washington during the Revolution, while my paternal grandfather, Col. Dirck Ten Broeck, was likewise a Revolutionary officer, although not attached to Washington's staff. I was born in Albany, N. Y., where my early boyhood was passed and I received my education. In 1829 I became a cadet at West Point. After leaving there I spent several years in the South, where my racing career began, which continued, with occasional breaks, until 1877, when I retired entirely. The family trait of love for and pride in fine horses reached an unusual development in his case. From boyhood to old age, his ambitions were bound up in the events of the turf His name was well known in Canada and England, as well as throughout the United States. Late in life he married the widow of H. D. Newcomb of Louisville, Ky., but an unfortunate temperament separated, them. He then built himself a home at Menlo Park, -Nrj., which he named "The Hermitage." Here he died in the summer of 1892, in probably the eightyfifth year of his age.^"^ rVr).-

---

from the San Francisco Call, Volume 72, Number 63, 2 August 1892 RICHARD TEN BROECK DEAD

Here Was the Noblest Roman of Them All, HE LIVED In CLUBS AND CROWDS, And Died at Last in His Old Age Forsaken and Alone, but With no Taint of Dishonor Upon His Soul. Special to The Morning Call. San Mateo.Aug.l.— Richard Ten Broeck , the old luirsctnan. was found dead in bed at his home. "The Hermitage," near here, at 11 o'clock this morning.' He was alone at the time and had been for some time, as he experienced great difficulty in keeping help on account of his extremely nervous and irritable temperament, which of late years had crown on him to such an extent as to lead his '"friends to believe that he was bordering on Insanity. Yesterday he had arranged with a party to come to his house and take an inventory

of his household effects, for the purpose, it Is thought, of converting them into coin, as he has been for some time hard pressed. When the party went to his house at 11 a. m. to-day the front door was partly open and on the step was Ten Broeck's coat. Knocking and calling failed to secure an answer. The party then entered and proceeded to the bed chamber, where the old horseman was found cold in death. Everything about the room was in the usual order and the arms of the deceased folded upon his breast. He was over 80 years of age and for four years had been a confirmed invalid from gout. SKETCH OF HIS CAREER. He Once Was Wealthy and the Associate of European Ilciynttr. The veteran horseman, Richard Ten Broeck, was one of the greatest landmarks of the American turf. Not only was he at one time the idol of the racing world on this side of the Atlantic, by reason of his family's honorable standing, and his own unblemished and unimpeachable character as a sportsman, but he was also the pet for many years of that large section of the English people and aristocracy who support the "sport of kings." lie was the first American to cross the Atlantic with American horses (owned and many bred and ridden by himself in the gentlemen's riding nut-- , and to win With them most of the long-distance races of that country. Born in 1808, in Albany, N. Y. and educated in that State, he was a cadet at West Point In 1529, with such men as Generals Robt. E. Lee and John Magruder, and Emery Arnold Hauls, the celebrated editor of the Globe, the organ of Jacks, administration, and Humphrey Marshall of Kentucky, the famous lawyer and orator, were also in his class. Young Ten Broeck, however, could not agree with Colonel Thayer, the superintendent of West Point, and he accordingly resigned and embarked upon the troubled waters of the turf, for which he had a predilection from boyhood. After purchasing some likely thoroughbreds his first venture was to take his stable over to Havana, hither he sailed from New Orleans, but the speculation proved a failure, as the Havaners said they would just its soon see locomotives race on a railroad. Then he took live horses over to Canada, and ran and won nine times In Caledonia, Montreal and Quebec, but the expedition cost $20CO over gains, as the purses were small, and there was no money for betting in the country. Soon after this he ran Pryor, a three-year-old of his breeding, against Lecomute in Mississippi and beat him four mile beat 3 in the D st time ever raado up to that date. He then went to New Orleans with that world-famous horse Lexington and won the State Post stake of $20,000, beating Lecompte, representing Louisiana, and also the representatives of South Carolina and Alabama. Subsequently Lexington was beaten by Lecomute for a purse (the jockey on Lexington pulling up by mistake). Time, 7:26, the fastest four miles ever run by many .seconds to that date. General Weils declining another match for Lecomme for Sio.ooo a side, Ten Broeck sent Lexington, Prior ana Arrow to New York en route to England to run for the Goodwood cup. Before leaving, however, he issued a challenge, Lexington against the world four miles, for $10,000 a side, or to beat 7:26, the then fastest record time. The latter part of the challenge was accepted by Congressman John Minor Botta of Virginia. Lexington won in 7:19%, and the succeeding week beat Lecoiupt'e for a purse In 7:23. Ten Broeck then purchased the latter horse. In 1806 Lexington »cut blind and was sold to Alexander of Kentucky,, whose fortune he made as a sire. Lexington was not bred by Ten Broeck, but purchased by him at Georgetown in 1553, as a colt out of a two mile heat race, which he won on a heavy muddy track in 3:41 and 3:49. The colt's name was then Darley, which his new owner afterward changed to Lexington. Before Ten Broeck sailed for England he bought a pair of driving horses in Louisville, matched them in New York, two-mile heats. 510,000 a. side, drove them himself, lost the hist heat and won the two next under the whip from pillar to post. He also matched Prince, a thoroughbred, one of the pair, who could trot in 2:90, against a i acer who could go in 2:17, for $10,OuO, ten miles. The pacer pulled up at the end of live miles and thereby lost the match. His reception In England in the elite of sporting and social circles was enthusiastic. He became a member of that exclusive society, the English Jockey Club. His warmest friends numbered lie Prince of "Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, Admiral House, Prince Christian, Prince of Hesse, Prince of Saxo Weimar,' Cotnte de Paris, Prince Batbyany, Prince Soltykoff, Dukes of Hamilton, Westminster, Wellington, Norfolk, Newcastle. St. Albany Beaufort, Portland, and all the leaders of fashion. The deceased gentleman was full of anecdote concerning these eminent personages and the strange characters he mci during his turf career. The famous horse Ten Broeck, which ran a mile in 1:39%, was named, alter him.

On and off he spent nearly 30 years in England, paying occasional visits to America to recuperate from the results of the giddy whirl of life In which he mixed with the scions of English royalty and nobility. SnCQ a life, with its extravagances and the expenses of his large racing stud, could have eventually but on* result, especially when he censed to exercise personal supervision over his horses and ititiusted them to other people's care. He lost the greater part of the fortune he had accumulated and returned to America for good in 1887, broken down in health, with the sufferings brought upon him by repeated and virulent attacks of gout. He came to California, and finally in 1889 settled down in San Muttu>, which spot he characterized an "only wanting people to make it an Arcadi i." In this year his marital troubles were aired before the public, as his wife endeavored to have him declared insane. The jury, however, found differently, and the grand old sportsman was thereafter left to end his days in comparative peace. There is one thing which should not be overlooked, and (that is the fact that whatever losses he sustained, and however his fortunes were Impaired, the impression he created in the English people and the spotless character he maintained and he lives in the memories of

both the English and his fellow-countrymen as a tnw specimen of the American gentleman and sportsman. mteinntionally looked up to and beloved, the turf and the world in general would be better off if they possessed more men of the stamp of Richard Ten Broeck.

---

The Horse Named Lexington ^[1]

Richard Ten Broeck arranged for Lexington to enter stud at John Harper's Nantura Stud near Midway, Kentucky and the horse stood there for two years until purchased by a neighbor, Robert A. Alexander, of Woodburn Farm, just up the Old Frankfort Pike. Over the next 25 years, many of the best racehorses in America came from the pastures of that farm, most of them descending from Lexington.

Lexington left Woodburn only twice. In 1859 he was sent to St. Louis for the exhibition at the Great St. Louis Fair, and in 1865 when he was sent to Illinois during the Civil War.

Lexington sired some 600 foals, over one-third of which were winners. Combined they earned $1,159,321. Considering most of these were racing during the Civil War when purses were small, this is phenomenal.

BigLexPortraitThis revered horse passed away on July 1, 1875. A few months later he was exhumed and taken to Washington D.C. where the skeleton of the great Lexington became Catalogue No.16020 at the Smithsonian Institution. He was rarely displayed. At long last, in 2010, he was returned home and is now on display at the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Edward Troye's classic portrait of Lexington was the inspiration behind Lexington's blue horse that adorns wayfinding signs around the city, and the inspiration behind the logo used by VistLEX, the convention and visitors bureau for Lexington.

Under the name of "Darley" he easily won his first two races for Dr. Warfield and his partner, "Burbridge's Harry", a former slave turned well-known horse trainer. Burbridge, being black, was not allowed to enter "Darley" in races in his own name, so the horse ran in Dr. Warfield's name and colors.[1] He caught the eye of Richard Ten Broeck who asked Dr. Warfield to name his price. "Darley", the son of Boston, was sold in 1853 to Ten Broeck acting on behalf of a syndicate who would rename him Lexington. Affixed to Lexington's pedigree Dr. Warfield wrote: "The colt was bred by me, as was also his dam, which I now and will ever, own...E. Warfield."

A syndicate made up of Richard Ten Broeck, General Abe Buford, Captain Willa Viley, and Junius R. Ward, bought the horse for $2,500 between heats (or during the running of his race), so tried claiming the purse money when he won. Failing that, he tried to deduct the purse money from the sale price. But Dr. Warfield held out. His new owners immediately sent Lexington to Natchez, Mississippi to train under J. B. Pryor.

Lexington raced at age three and four and although he only competed seven times, many of his races were grueling four-mile events. Lexington won six of his seven races and finished second once. One of his wins was the Phoenix Hotel Handicap in 1853. On April 2, 1855, at the Metairie race course in New Orleans, he set a record running four miles in 7 minutes, 19 3⁄4 seconds. Even with his complex and hard-fought rivalry with the horse Lecomte (also a son of Boston, both born just after Boston died), he was known as the best race horse of his day. His second match with Lecomte on April 24, 1855, was considered one of the greatest matches of the century. But Lexington had to be retired at the end of 1855 as a result of poor eyesight. His sire, Boston, had also gone blind. Conservation work in 2010 revealed that Lexington had had a massive facial infection that resulted in his going blind.[2] Stud record

He stood for a time at the Nantura Stock Farm of Uncle John Harper in Midway, Kentucky, along with the famous racer and sire, Glencoe. Sold to Robert A. Alexander for $15,000 in 1858, reportedly the then highest price ever paid for an American horse, Lexington was sent to Alexander's Woodburn Stud at Spring Station, Kentucky.

Called "The Blind Hero of Woodburn", Lexington became the leading sire in North America sixteen times, from 1861 through 1874, and then again in 1876 and 1878.[3] Lexington was the sire of the undefeated Asteroid and Norfolk.[4] Nine of the first fifteen Travers Stakes were won by one of his sons or daughters, a list that included:

Belle Of Nelson (won Kentucky Oaks) Cincinnati, General Ulysses S. Grant's favorite horse. Cincinnati was depicted in numerous statues of Grant that remain to this day. Duke of Magenta (won the Travers Stakes in 1878...as well as the Withers Stakes, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes) General Duke (won Belmont Stakes) Harry Bassett (won Belmont Stakes and 14 consecutive races)[5] Kentucky (owned by William Travers himself), the first Travers Stakes winner in 1864 Kingfisher (Belmont Stakes) Neecy Hale (Kentucky Oaks) Shirley Preakness Stakes (1876) Tom Ochiltree Preakness Stakes (1875)[6]

His three Preakness Stakes winners equaled the record of another great sire, Broomstick.

In all Lexington sired 236 winners who won 1,176 races, ran second 348 times and third 42 times for $1,159,321 in prize money.[7]

During the American Civil War, horses were forcibly conscripted from the Kentucky Farms to serve as mounts in the bloody fray. Lexington, 15 years old and blind, had to be hidden away to save him from such a fate.

He died at Woodburn on July 1, 1875, and was buried in a casket in front of the stables. A few years later, in 1878, his owner, through the auspices of Dr. J.M. Toner, donated the horse's bones to the U.S. National Museum (the Smithsonian Institution).[8] The pioneering taxidermist Henry Augustus Ward of Ward's Natural Science in Rochester, New York, was called in to supervise the disinterment and preparation of the skeleton. For many years the specimen was exhibited in the Osteology Hall of the National Museum of Natural History. In 1999, Lexington was part of the exhibition "On Time", at the National Museum of American History, where he helped illustrate the history of the first mass-produced stopwatch that split time into fractions of seconds—which was supposedly developed to document Lexington's feats on the race course. In 2010, Smithsonian conservators prepared the skeleton for loan to the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky, in time for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, the first time these games had been held outside of Europe.[9]

Lexington's dominance in the pedigrees of American-bred Thoroughbreds, and the fact that the British Thoroughbred breeders considered him not a purebred, was a large factor in the so-called Jersey Act of 1913, in which the British Jockey Club limited the registration of horses not traced completely to horses in the General Stud Book.[10] Honors

Lexington was part of the first group of horses inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1955. The Belmont Lexington Stakes runs every year at Belmont Park in honor of Lexington, as does the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Course.

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010 the Smithsonian loaned Lexington's skeleton to the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park, to be exhibited there through August 2013.[11][9]

Lexington served as the model for the top of the Woodlawn Vase, given to the winner of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.[12] Tabulated pedigree

Note

Note: From the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame web site:

Richard Ten Broeck

1811-1892

Richard Ten Broeck left an indelible mark on American racing as the

owner of Lexington, the legendary Kentucky race horse, and as

proprietor of Metairie Race Course in New Orleans. Under his

management, Metairie became the preeminent race track in America in

the decade before the War Between the States. As a racing promoter he

had no equal. His greatest promotion of Metairie was the interstate

stakes race known as the Great State Post Stake on April 1, 1854. Ten

Broeck was also the first American to demonstrate the prowess of the

American racehorse on the English Turf. His name began to appear in

race reports in 1843, when he raced horses at the Valdez Race Course

in Havana, Cuba. In 1847, he became manager of the Bingaman Course,

across the river from New Orleans in Algiers, while overseeing the

Bascombe Course at Mobile and acquiring an interest in Metairie. In

1851, Ten Broeck bought full control of the track through a joint

stock company he formed. He raised purses that drew horses from

Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and Missouri; he renovated the

grandstand; and he encouraged New Orleans's social elite and

especially women to support racing by offering lavish facilities. The

Great State Post Stake -- a marathon event of four-mile heats, the

winner of which would be the horse to win two straight heats -- was a

triumph of promotion that drew thousands of spectators. Lexington, who

was purchased by a syndicate headed by Ten Broeck prior to the event,

won from the Louisiana-bred Lecomte and two others.

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_(horse)

"United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDP-LQCS : 20 February 2021), Richard Ten Broeck, 1874.