Thomas Clay McDowell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Clay McDowell was an American businessman, Thoroughbred
racehorse
owner
/breeder
, and trainer
. He was a great-grandson of Henry Clay, Sr.
, Thomas was the fourth of the seven children of Anne Clay (1837–1917) and her husband, Major Henry Clay McDowell
(1832–1899). His mother was the daughter of Henry Clay, Jr.
. In 1883 she and her husband purchased the 325 acres (1.3 km²) estate from other Clay descendants. Henry Clay McDowell bred Standardbred horses for harness racing
, and Thomas became interested in the breeding and training of racehorses.
in Kentucky. He also had his own horses. McDowell is most notable as the breeder, owner, and trainer of the colt
Alan-a-Dale
, which won the 1902 Kentucky Derby
. McDowell's other top horses included four fillies
which each won the Kentucky Oaks
, and The Manager, named the 1912 American Horse of the Year for his record of wins and money earned.
In 1925 Thomas McDowell acquired Buck Pond Farm in Versailles, Kentucky
from the estate of Louis Marshall. McDowell introduced Thoroughbred horses to Buck Pond and operated it until his death in 1935. Joseph K. Nelson, a wealthy Chicago
businessman and native of Woodford County, Kentucky
, purchased the farm from McDowell's heirs in 1936.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
owner
Ownership
Ownership is the state or fact of exclusive rights and control over property, which may be an object, land/real estate or intellectual property. Ownership involves multiple rights, collectively referred to as title, which may be separated and held by different parties. The concept of ownership has...
/breeder
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
, and trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. He was a great-grandson of Henry Clay, Sr.
Early life and education
Born at Ashland Farm in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, Thomas was the fourth of the seven children of Anne Clay (1837–1917) and her husband, Major Henry Clay McDowell
Henry Clay McDowell
Henry Clay McDowell was an American businessman and noted Standardbred horse breeder.In 1857, he married Anne Smith Clay, daughter of Henry Clay, Jr. with whom he had seven children...
(1832–1899). His mother was the daughter of Henry Clay, Jr.
Henry Clay, Jr.
Henry Clay, Jr. was an American politician and soldier from Kentucky, the third son of US Senator and Congressman Henry Clay and Lucretia Hart Clay. He was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1835 and served one term...
. In 1883 she and her husband purchased the 325 acres (1.3 km²) estate from other Clay descendants. Henry Clay McDowell bred Standardbred horses for harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
, and Thomas became interested in the breeding and training of racehorses.
Marriage and family
In 1888 Thomas McDowell married Mary Mann Goodloe (1866–1953), with whom he had two children: Ann Clay McDowell (b. 1891) and son, William Cassius Goodloe McDowell (b.1895).Career
In the early 1900s, McDowell worked as a trainer for the Thoroughbred stable of William Kissam VanderbiltWilliam Kissam Vanderbilt
William Kissam Vanderbilt was a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family. He managed railroads and was a horse breeder.-Biography:...
in Kentucky. He also had his own horses. McDowell is most notable as the breeder, owner, and trainer of the colt
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
Alan-a-Dale
Alan-a-Dale (horse)
Alan-a-Dale is an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1902 Kentucky Derby. He was named for a figure in the Robin Hood legend. According to the stories, he was a wandering minstrel who became a member of Robin's band of outlaws, the "Merry Men." He was bred by Thomas...
, which won the 1902 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. McDowell's other top horses included four fillies
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
which each won the Kentucky Oaks
Kentucky Oaks
The Kentucky Oaks is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred fillies staged annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The race currently covers 1⅛ miles at Churchill Downs; the horses carry 121 pounds . The Kentucky Oaks is held on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby each year...
, and The Manager, named the 1912 American Horse of the Year for his record of wins and money earned.
In 1925 Thomas McDowell acquired Buck Pond Farm in Versailles, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
from the estate of Louis Marshall. McDowell introduced Thoroughbred horses to Buck Pond and operated it until his death in 1935. Joseph K. Nelson, a wealthy Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
businessman and native of Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
, purchased the farm from McDowell's heirs in 1936.