BLUEGRASS IN BLOOM

Some 8,500 thoroughbred horses are foaled each year in the U.S. Far & away the richest and most concentrated area of production is the 1,200 square miles of gently rolling bluegrass country which surrounds Lexington, Ky. Here, on some 200 farms ranging up to 2,500 acres, the billion-dollar U.S. horse-breeding industry has its fanciest showcase and raises its finest horses.

Those that survive the rigors of growing up, "breaking" and training provide the sport which last year attracted 24 million spectators (1952 attendance is up 10%) --and contributed $99 million in taxes (on a billion and a half in bets) to the 24 states which have race tracks. Of the 319 stakes winners in North American flat racing last year, 162 were foaled in the Bluegrass State. Some of the farms that bred these stars (and hundreds of lesser performers) are pictured on the next four pages.

Pikes & Pastures

A major factor in Kentucky's pre-eminence in breeding thoroughbreds is the quick-growing, perennial bluegrass. Under lying this valuable feed crop is a layer of rare old limestone, which supplies phosphorus and calcium for the building of sturdy bones, elastic muscles and strong tendons.

Capital of the Bluegrass is the city of Lexington (pop. 55,000). It has the largest Burley leaf tobacco market in the world, carries on a thriving business in cattle and sheep, and is the home of the University of Kentucky and Transylvania College. Its No. 1 business, nevertheless, is the breed ing, raising, selling and racing of thorough breds (as early as 1782 there were "race paths" around Lexington). Standard-bred trotters and pacers and the American saddle horse are also raised here.

Lexington is the hub from which a series of "pikes" fan out to the horse farms.

In summer these roads buzz with traffic --for horses and horse farms, with their lush pastures, white fences, parklike woods and columned manors, are the state's chief tourist attraction.

Supply & Demand

Man o' War drew 50,000 visitors annually during his years at stud at Faraway.

Today's top draw, thanks to its success on the race track, is 890-acre Calumet Farm, whose 60 home-bred stakes winners have made favorite-players happy. On the other side of town are the two Whitney farms, impressive examples of well-heeled private operations which have been family-owned for generations. Adjoining them is Elmendorf Farm, an important breeding establishment since 1871. Sprawling over 500 hilly acres, through woods and along North Elkhorn Creek, the present-day Elmendorf is the heart of what was once a vast 9,800-acre tract owned by James Ben Ali Haggin, fabulous copper baron. A farm of such scope could not exist in tax-ridden 1952, but most Lexington breeders are content to stress quality--and hope that the racing boom lasts forever.

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