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Grave Matters: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
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Photos Liz Martiniak ©Liz Martiniak 2003; all rights reserved. |
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Top left: grave stone of Brokers Tip, winner of the 1933 Kentucky Derby
Top right: Swaps, winner of the 1955 Kentucky Derby
Bottom left: Carry Back, winner of the 1961 Kentucky Derby | |
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CHURCHILL DOWNS in Louisville, Kentucky, is home to the Kentucky Derby, first run in 1875 and won by Aristides. The track is also home to the Kentucky Derby Museum, which arranged to have the remains of several Kentucky Derby winners relocated to the track, and markers provided. The first of these was BROKERS TIP, who won the 1933 Kentucky Derby famous for the "fighting finish" photograph that shows the battle engaged by the jockeys riding Brokers Tip and second place finisher Head Play. Brokers Tip, one of five Kentucky Derby winners bred and raced by Col. E.R. Bradley, stood initially in Kentucky and was later moved to California where he died in 1953. His bones were used for demonstration purposes at the University of California Davis Veterinary School, and those that could be located were finally brought to rest at Churchill Downs.
SWAPS was the California champion of the 1950s. He won the 1955 Kentucky Derby defeating the Eastern champion Nashua, and although plagued by a weak hoof, continued on with a great racing career, setting or equaling 8 time records including 5 world records. SWAPS initially stood at stud at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, but was later moved to Spendthrift Farm. He died here in 1972, on property now known as Green Gates Farm. His remains were later exhumed and reburied at Churchill Downs.
The latest burial is of CARRY BACK, a true rags-to-riches story and became known as "the people's choice" for his great appeal to the common man. Bred from very modest parents, CARRY BACK was a stakes winner at 2 and champion at 3, winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He retired to stud at his owner's Dorchester Farm in Florida, and when he died in 1983, his ashes were sent to Churchill Downs as a final resting place. Churchill Downs hopes to become the final resting place of additional past and future Kentucky Derby winners as time goes on. |
| CHURCHILL DOWNS BURIALS: Kentucky Derby Winners
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Brokers Tip (c. 1938-1953; died in CA)
Carry Back (c. 1858-1983; died at Dorchester Farm, FL)
Swaps (c. 1952-1972; originally buried at Spendthrift Farm, Lexington, KY) |
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